Meanings of 龟
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About 龟
Podcast: 龟
Podcast: 龟
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AI Study Notes for 龟
龟 (guī) vs 龟甲 (guījiǎ) — use 龟 for the animal itself, while 龟甲 refers specifically to the turtle's shell.
Be cautious not to confuse 龟 (guī) with other similar-sounding words. In informal settings, it can take on a derogatory meaning when referring to a 'cuckold,' so be mindful of the context. Common collocations include 龟甲 (guījiǎ), meaning 'tortoise shell,' which refers to the shell's use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Although 龟 is not on the HSK list, it is beneficial to learn alongside related animals like 鱼 (yú, fish) and 鸟 (niǎo, bird) to expand vocabulary in nature. Focus on pronunciation and tonal accuracy as these are crucial in distinguishing it from similar characters.
Learners often mispronounce 龟 as 'gui' with a neutral tone instead of the correct high tone 'guī.' Additionally, they might confuse it with the character 龟 and write it incorrectly in its traditional form, which can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 龟
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Etymology of 龟
Simplified form of 龜. Pictograph of a tortoise.
A turtle; compare 龜
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 龟
Simplified form of 龜. Pictograph of a tortoise.
- 1The giveawayA turtle; compare 龜
- 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 龟? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 龟
Identify the Components
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How to say turtle, tortoise; cuckold in Chinese
“turtle, tortoise; cuckold” in Chinese is龟
The character 龟 (guī) primarily means 'turtle' or 'tortoise.' It is often used in contexts related to nature, wildlife, or symbolism of longevity and wisdom, as turtles are revered in Chinese culture for their long lifespan. Additionally, it can colloquially refer to a 'cuckold' in certain contexts, suggesting betrayal or infidelity.
When to use 龟
Be cautious not to confuse 龟 (guī) with other similar-sounding words. In informal settings, it can take on a derogatory meaning when referring to a 'cuckold,' so be mindful of the context. Common collocations include 龟甲 (guījiǎ), meaning 'tortoise shell,' which refers to the shell's use in traditional Chinese medicine.
龟 or something close to it
龟 (guī) vs 龟甲 (guījiǎ) — use 龟 for the animal itself, while 龟甲 refers specifically to the turtle's shell.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 龟 as 'gui' with a neutral tone instead of the correct high tone 'guī.' Additionally, they might confuse it with the character 龟 and write it incorrectly in its traditional form, which can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 龟
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Practice writing 龟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 龟
龟 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我指甲根部的表皮____裂粗糙，指甲被咬得参差不齐。
My cuticles were split and ragged, and my nails unevenly bitten.
Example Sentences for 龟 (3)
Word Family of 龟
Compound Meaning
What does 龟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 龟
乌龟 (wūguī) specifically refers to a 'soft-shelled turtle' or 'tortoise,' while 龟 (guī) is a more general term for turtles or tortoises.
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