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March 24, 2026
阄(鬮)jiū(jiu1)
The character 阄 (jiū) refers to the concept of chance or risk, particularly in contexts of drawing lots or random selection. It is commonly used in games of chance where outcomes are uncertain, highlighting the element of luck involved in such situations.
Strokes10Radical门Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, drawing lots (阄) has historical significance, often used in decision-making or divination practices, reflecting the belief in fate and destiny. This practice can be seen during festivals or important events.
Memory Tip
Imagine a game where you 'draw' a lot from a box (阄) filled with different colored balls. The box represents chance, and 'jiū' sounds like 'draw' in English. Visualize pulling a ball out and the suspense of wondering if it’s the winning one, tying the character’s meaning to its pronunciation.
Meanings of 阄
jiū(jiu1)
1chance, risk; to draw lots
2lots (to be drawn)
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About 阄
阄Simplified
鬮Traditional
10Strokes
门Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 阄
Podcast: 阄
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AI Study Notes for 阄
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a game where you 'draw' a lot from a box (阄) filled with different colored balls. The box represents chance, and 'jiū' sounds like 'draw' in English. Visualize pulling a ball out and the suspense of wondering if it’s the winning one, tying the character’s meaning to its pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 阄 in formal contexts as it is primarily informal and associated with games of luck. It often collocates with words relating to games, such as '抽签' (chōu qiān, lottery) or '赌博' (dǔ bó, gambling). Ensure the tone is correct; it should be pronounced with a high level tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 阄 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, its components can help learners recognize other characters related to chance or luck. Students at this level should focus on understanding how this character connects with concepts of randomness and uncertainty in both language and culture.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, drawing lots (阄) has historical significance, often used in decision-making or divination practices, reflecting the belief in fate and destiny. This practice can be seen during festivals or important events.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 阄 with similar sounding characters; for example, using '九' (jiǔ, nine) instead of 阄. Always remember that 阄 relates to chance and drawing lots, while 九 refers to the number nine.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 阄
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Cultural Notes for 阄
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, drawing lots (阄) has historical significance, often used in decision-making or divination practices, reflecting the belief in fate and destiny. This practice can be seen during festivals or important events.
Word Family of 阄
Words Containing This Character2
抓阄to draw straws抓鬮
阄jiūlots (to be drawn)鬮
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 抓阄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 阄
You would use 阄 in informal settings, particularly when discussing games of chance or decisions made by random selection.
No, 阄 is typically too informal for formal writing; it's better suited for casual conversations or games.
It is pronounced 'jiū' with a high level tone, similar to how you would say 'jew' in English.