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鞲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鞲gōuleather bracerx, 19 strokes, radical 革
gōu(gou1)gou T1
  1. 1leather bracer
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March 24, 2026

鞲gōu(gou1)

The character 鞲 (gōu) refers to a leather bracer or a protective strap typically used in traditional Chinese attire or for horse riding equipment. It denotes a specific item that provides support and protection, often associated with martial arts or historical contexts. Its usage is relatively niche, primarily found in discussions of traditional clothing or historical texts.

Strokes19Radical革
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, items like 鞲 were essential for warriors and horse riders, showcasing the importance of protective gear in historical martial practices and lifestyle. Such accessories often reflected status and craftsmanship.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 鞲 as a 'girdle' of leather wrapped around an arm or leg for protection. The radical 鞠 (related to leather) suggests its material, while the pronunciation 'gōu' can be remembered by associating it with 'go' as in 'go into action with protection.'

Meanings of 鞲

gōu(gou1)
1leather bracer
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鞲

鞲Simplified
19Strokes
革Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鞲

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Podcast: 鞲

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AI Study Notes for 鞲

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 鞲 with similar characters related to leather, such as 革 (gé). It's important to use 鞲 in contexts that specifically involve leather accessories or protective gear, as it is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Be mindful of its formal usage; it’s not typically used in casual contexts.

HSK Study Tips

This character is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but it can be a useful addition for students interested in traditional Chinese culture or martial arts. Focus on recognizing the character in historical texts or discussions about clothing to enhance your cultural literacy.

Common Mistakes

Students often confuse 鞲 with other leather-related characters like 革. For example, using 鞲 to refer to a general leather item instead of its specific meaning as a bracer is incorrect; 革 should be used for leather in general.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鞲

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Etymology of 鞲

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

leather

Semantic (meaning)革
+
Phonetic (sound)冓
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

鞲 = 革 + 冓. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鞲

IDS Structure⿰革冓
鞲Full Character
=
革ge2
left
冓gou4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鞲?

How to say leather bracer in Chinese

“leather bracer” in Chinese is鞲gōu

The character 鞲 (gōu) refers to a leather bracer or a protective strap typically used in traditional Chinese attire or for horse riding equipment. It denotes a specific item that provides support and protection, often associated with martial arts or historical contexts. Its usage is relatively niche, primarily found in discussions of traditional clothing or historical texts.

When to use 鞲

Learners often confuse 鞲 with similar characters related to leather, such as 革 (gé). It's important to use 鞲 in contexts that specifically involve leather accessories or protective gear, as it is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Be mindful of its formal usage; it’s not typically used in casual contexts.

What learners get wrong

Students often confuse 鞲 with other leather-related characters like 革. For example, using 鞲 to refer to a general leather item instead of its specific meaning as a bracer is incorrect; 革 should be used for leather in general.

Write 鞲

鞲

Practice writing 鞲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 鞲

Words Containing This Character1
鞲gōuarcher's arm guard

Frequently Asked Questions about 鞲

A 鞲 is used as a leather bracer or protective strap, often in martial arts or traditional attire.

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