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March 24, 2026
阙(闕)quē(Que1)
The character 阙 (quē) primarily refers to a type of structure, such as a palace or watchtower, particularly within the context of ancient Chinese imperial cities. It can also denote a deficiency or fault, reflecting a broader range of meanings that include both physical structures and abstract concepts of mistakes or shortcomings.
Strokes13Radical门Frequency#46155DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, 阙 was significant in the layout of cities, often representing power and authority as watchtowers protected the imperial city. Such structures were integral to the defense and ceremonial aspects of royal life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a grand palace with tall watchtowers (the structure of 阙) overseeing the empire. The character has a radical that signifies a gate (阝), which can remind you of the entrances to these majestic structures, while the sound 'quē' can be associated with the idea of 'cue,' as in 'cue the royal watchtowers.'
Meanings of 阙
quē(Que1)
primary
1palace; watchtower
2Imperial city watchtower (old)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 阙
阙Simplified
闕Traditional
13Strokes
门Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 阙
Podcast: 阙
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AI Study Notes for 阙
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 阙; it is often used in formal or historical discussions rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include terms related to ancient architecture or governance. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that pertain to different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
While 阙 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can deepen your knowledge of ancient Chinese history and culture. Connect this word with other characters related to architecture and governance to enhance your vocabulary in these areas.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 阙 with similar characters like 确 (què), which means 'to confirm.' For example, saying '我有阙的观点' (Wǒ yǒu quē de guāndiǎn) instead of '我有确的观点' (Wǒ yǒu què de guāndiǎn) can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 阙
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2The sound half欮 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaygate
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 阙? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 阙?
Decomposition of 阙
IDS Structure⿵门欮
阙Full Character
=
门Men2
enclosing
欮jue2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 阙?
How to say surname Que in Chinese
“surname Que” in Chinese is阙quē
The character 阙 (quē) primarily refers to a type of structure, such as a palace or watchtower, particularly within the context of ancient Chinese imperial cities. It can also denote a deficiency or fault, reflecting a broader range of meanings that include both physical structures and abstract concepts of mistakes or shortcomings.
When to use 阙
Be mindful of the context when using 阙; it is often used in formal or historical discussions rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include terms related to ancient architecture or governance. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that pertain to different meanings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 阙 with similar characters like 确 (què), which means 'to confirm.' For example, saying '我有阙的观点' (Wǒ yǒu quē de guāndiǎn) instead of '我有确的观点' (Wǒ yǒu què de guāndiǎn) can lead to misunderstanding.
Write 阙
阙
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Practice writing 阙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 阙
Words Containing This Character4
阙quēfault闕
宫阙palace宮闕
金阙the imperial palace金闕
阙特勤Kul Tigin or Kultegin (685-c. 731), general of the Second Turkic Kaganate闕特勤
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 阙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 阙
It primarily refers to a palace or watchtower, especially within the context of ancient Chinese cities.
Yes, but it is mostly seen in historical or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation.
Yes, it can also refer to a fault or deficiency in a more abstract sense.
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