Meanings of 闕
By ear
Play it, then pick what 闕 means.
About 闕
Podcast: 闕
Podcast: 闕
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 闕
闕 is more common in formal or literary contexts, often used in historical texts. A common mistake is confusing it with other similar characters, like '阐' (chǎn), which means to explain. Pay attention to its tone and context to avoid misinterpretation.
Although 闕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to buildings and places. Students should focus on the radicals and components to better understand its structure and meaning.
Learners often mispronounce 闕 as 'què', which changes its meaning. It's important to maintain the first tone 'quē' to convey the correct concept of a palace or watchtower.
Pronunciation of 闕
Drill the tone of 闕 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 闕 to You
Let me explain 闕 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 闕 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 闕?
Learning Lab
Knowing 闕 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 闕
gate
Origin
闕 = 門 + 欮. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 闕
Parts
Which of these is part of 闕?
How to say palace; watchtower in Chinese
“palace; watchtower” in Chinese is闕
The character 闕 (quē) refers to a palace or a watchtower, often associated with ancient architecture in China. It conveys a sense of grandeur and security, typically found in historical contexts related to royal or military structures.
When to use 闕
闕 is more common in formal or literary contexts, often used in historical texts. A common mistake is confusing it with other similar characters, like '阐' (chǎn), which means to explain. Pay attention to its tone and context to avoid misinterpretation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 闕 as 'què', which changes its meaning. It's important to maintain the first tone 'quē' to convey the correct concept of a palace or watchtower.
Write 闕
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 闕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 闕?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 闕
Characters with 闕
What does 阙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 闕
The pronunciation is 'quē' with a first tone, so it should be spoken with a high, level pitch.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 闕?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.