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March 24, 2026
国(國)guó(Guo2)
The character '国' (guó) refers to a country or nation, representing a political entity with defined borders and governance. It is commonly used in contexts discussing national identity, citizenship, and geopolitical issues. In addition to its primary meaning, '国' can also denote the concept of statehood or nationality.
Strokes8Radical囗Frequency#2592DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
'国' is central to discussions of national pride and identity in China. It connects deeply to concepts of sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially in the context of China's history and its relationship with Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '国' (guó) as a fortress surrounded by walls (the two vertical strokes) protecting its people (the horizontal stroke in the center). Think of 'guó' sounding like 'gourd,' which can be a symbol of abundance in a nation. Visualize a gourd filled with the riches of a country.
Meanings of 国
guó(Guo2)
1country
2nation
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By ear
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About 国
国Simplified
國Traditional
8Strokes
囗Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2592Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 国
Podcast: 国
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AI Study Notes for 国
Quick Contrast
国家 (guójiā) vs 国土 (guótǔ) — use '国' when referring to the concept of a nation itself, while '国家' emphasizes the political entity and '国土' focuses on the physical territory.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse '国' with similar characters like '家' (jiā), which means home or family. Remember that '国' specifically relates to a political or national context. It's used in both formal and informal settings, and common collocations include '国家' (guójiā - country/nation) and '国籍' (guójí - nationality).
HSK Study Tips
While '国' is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it is fundamental for understanding discussions about countries and global affairs. Students should focus on its use in compound words and learn related terms like '国际' (guójì - international) and '国家' (guójiā - country).
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce '国' as 'guo' without the correct tonal inflection. Remember, it should be pronounced with a rising tone: 'guó'. Another common mistake is using '国' in isolation without pairing it with '家' (jiā) when discussing nationality, e.g., '我来自中国' (Wǒ láizì Zhōngguó - I come from China) instead of '我来自中国国' (Wǒ láizì Zhōngguó guó).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 国
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character '国' (guó) refers to a country or nation, representing a political entity with defined borders and governance. It is commonly used in contexts discussing national identity, citizenship, and geopolitical issues. In addition to its primary meaning, '国' can also denote the concept of statehood or nationality.
When to use 国
Learners often confuse '国' with similar characters like '家' (jiā), which means home or family. Remember that '国' specifically relates to a political or national context. It's used in both formal and informal settings, and common collocations include '国家' (guójiā - country/nation) and '国籍' (guójí - nationality).
国 or something close to it
国家 (guójiā) vs 国土 (guótǔ) — use '国' when referring to the concept of a nation itself, while '国家' emphasizes the political entity and '国土' focuses on the physical territory.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce '国' as 'guo' without the correct tonal inflection. Remember, it should be pronounced with a rising tone: 'guó'. Another common mistake is using '国' in isolation without pairing it with '家' (jiā) when discussing nationality, e.g., '我来自中国' (Wǒ láizì Zhōngguó - I come from China) instead of '我来自中国国' (Wǒ láizì Zhōngguó guó).
Write 国
国
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Practice writing 国 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 国
国 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). 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.
