HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
leather
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
to reform
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
to remove
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
to expel (from office)
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
gé(ge2) T2
1animal hide
2leather
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March 24, 2026
革gé(ge2)
The character 革 (gé) primarily refers to animal hide or leather, but it also conveys ideas of reform and removal. In contexts of governance or social change, it can mean to expel or to reform systems, reflecting a transformative action. This duality of meaning emphasizes both physical material and metaphorical change.
Strokes9Radical革Frequency#15988DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of reform (革) is deeply connected to historical events like the Cultural Revolution, where significant societal changes were enacted. This character is also used in phrases related to modern reforms in governance and economics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a leather shoe (革) that has been reformed into a stylish sandal. The shoe represents the 'leather' meaning, while the act of changing it symbolizes 'reform.' The pronunciation 'gé' sounds like 'gathering' around the idea of change and transformation.
Meanings of 革
gé(ge2)
1animal hide
2leather
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 革
革Simplified
9Strokes
革Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#15988Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 革
Podcast: 革
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AI Study Notes for 革
Quick Contrast
革 (gé) vs 改 (gǎi) — use 革 when emphasizing a transformation or removal related to systems or governance, while 改 focuses on making changes or corrections.
Usage Notes
When using 革 in a sentence, be mindful of its context; it can denote physical leather or metaphorical reform. It's commonly used in formal discussions about political or social changes. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 革 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to change and transformation. Learners at this level should focus on understanding its dual meanings and practicing sentences that illustrate both uses, especially in reform contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 革 with other characters that sound similar, such as 觉 (jué - to feel), leading to incorrect phrases like '革觉' instead of the correct usage. Always ensure the context aligns with either leather or reform to avoid confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 革
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2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 革? 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 革?
Decomposition of 革
IDS Structure⿱廿？
革Full Character
=
廿nian4
top
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 革?
How to say animal hide in Chinese
“animal hide” in Chinese is革gé
The character 革 (gé) primarily refers to animal hide or leather, but it also conveys ideas of reform and removal. In contexts of governance or social change, it can mean to expel or to reform systems, reflecting a transformative action. This duality of meaning emphasizes both physical material and metaphorical change.
When to use 革
When using 革 in a sentence, be mindful of its context; it can denote physical leather or metaphorical reform. It's commonly used in formal discussions about political or social changes. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
革 or something close to it
革 (gé) vs 改 (gǎi) — use 革 when emphasizing a transformation or removal related to systems or governance, while 改 focuses on making changes or corrections.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 革 with other characters that sound similar, such as 觉 (jué - to feel), leading to incorrect phrases like '革觉' instead of the correct usage. Always ensure the context aligns with either leather or reform to avoid confusion.
Write 革
革
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Practice writing 革 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 革
革 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
1998 was an important year for everyone: a time of change.
7
指望在他的领导下发生更深层次的变革简直是痴心妄想。
zhǐ wàng zài tā de lǐng dǎo xià fā shēng gēng shēn céng cì de biàn gé jiǎn zhí shì chī xīn wàng xiǎng。
It is wishful thinking to expect deeper change under his leadership.
8
他最大的革新在于使用了可互换的零件。
tā zuì dà de gé xīn zài yú shǐ yòng le kě hù huàn de líng jiàn。
His greatest innovation was the use of interchangeable parts.
9
他担心他们发起的大变革会遭遇失败。
tā dān xīn tā mén fā qǐ de dà biàn gé huì zāo yù shī bài。
He was afraid the revolution they had started would fail.
10
为什么不洗心革面、从头来过呢？
wéi shí mó bù xǐ xīn gé miàn、 、 cóng tóu lái guò？
Why not wipe the slate clean and start all over again?
Cultural Notes for 革
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western contexts, the idea of 'reform' often focuses on policy changes, while in Chinese culture, it may also imply a more profound transformation of values and societal structures.
Word Family of 革
Compounds108
勒le4to strangle; to tighten
鞋xie2shoe
霸ba4variant of 霸[bà]
靴xue1boots
鞭bian1whip or lash
靶ba3target, mark
鞠Ju1surname Ju
鞍an1saddle
鞑Da2the Tartars
鞘qiao4scabbard, sheath
靼da2the Tartars
鞜
靳Jin4a strap on a horse's breast
堇jin3yellow loam; clay; season; few
鞣rou2to tan, to soften
缂ke4the woof of a woven item
靪
靬
靮
靰
靲
靷
靸
靺
靿
鞀
鞃
鞄
鞅yang1the strap over a horse's neck
鞇
鞉
鞙
鞚
鞝
鞞
鞡
鞥
鞧
鞨
鞫ju1to question, to interrogate
鞬
鞮Di1leather shoes
鞯jian1saddle blanket
鞶
鞹
韀
韅
愅
煂
緙
羈ji1halter; to restrain, to hold, to control
覇
覊
諽
靫
靭
靯
靱
靵
靹
靻
靽
靾
鞁
鞂
鞆
鞈
鞊
鞌
鞎
鞏gong3to bind, to guard, to strengthen; firm, secure, strong
鞐
鞒qiao2boot, mud shoe, snowshoe
鞓
鞔man2to cover; leather stretched over a drum
鞕
鞖
鞛
鞟
鞢
鞤
鞦qiu1leather strap; to swing
鞩
鞪
鞰
鞱
鞲gou1leather bracer
鞳
鞴bei4to saddle up, to ride
鞵
鞷
鞸
鞺
鞻
鞼
鞽
鞾
鞿
韁jiang1bridle, reins
韂
韃da2the Tartars
韄
韆qian1thousand, many, numerous; swing, seesaw
韇
韈
韉
韊
韚
Words Containing This Character20
改革gǎigéreform
革命gémìngrevolution
变革biàngéto transform變革
皮革pígéleather
革géleather
革新géxīnto innovate
改革开放gǎigékāifàngto reform and open to the outside world改革開放
革命性revolutionary
大马士革Damascus, capital of Syria大馬士革
西装革履impeccably attired西裝革履
文化大革命Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)
反革命counterrevolutionary
革职to sack革職
文革Cultural Revolution (1966-76)
革命家a revolutionary
登革热dengue fever登革熱
改革者reformer
改革派the reformist party
土地改革land reform
革除to eliminate
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 勒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 革
In casual conversation, 革 usually refers to leather items or clothing, but can also imply making changes in personal decisions.
In formal discussions, 革 often refers to systemic reforms or changes in policies, particularly in government or organizational settings.
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