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刻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
刻kèquarter (hour)HSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
刻kèmomentHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
刻kèto carveHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
刻kèto engraveHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
刻kèto cutHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
刻kèoppressiveHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
刻kèclassifier for short time intervalsHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
刻kèto carve, to engrave; a quarter hour; a momentHSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #3513, Medium
kè(ke4) T4
  1. 1quarter (hour)
  2. 2moment
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
刻kè(ke4)

The character 刻 (kè) primarily means 'to carve' or 'to engrave' and is often used in contexts related to time, such as indicating a quarter of an hour. It can also imply a moment or a brief period, and is used as a classifier for short time intervals, making it versatile in both artistic and temporal contexts.

Strokes8Radical刂Frequency#3513DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, carving has historical significance, often seen in crafts like jade carving and woodblock printing, reflecting the artistry and the importance of time in daily life and rituals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a skilled artisan carving a detailed design into a piece of wood, representing the act of 刻 (kè). The character looks like a person (the left side) wielding a tool (the right side) to carve out a moment in time, reminiscent of how we often mark important events in quarters or moments of significance.

Meanings of 刻

kè(ke4)
1quarter (hour)
2moment
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 刻

刻Simplified
8Strokes
刂Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#3513Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 刻

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Podcast: 刻

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AI Study Notes for 刻

Quick Contrast

刻 (kè) vs 切 (qiē) — use 刻 for carving or engraving, while 切 refers specifically to cutting.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a skilled artisan carving a detailed design into a piece of wood, representing the act of 刻 (kè). The character looks like a person (the left side) wielding a tool (the right side) to carve out a moment in time, reminiscent of how we often mark important events in quarters or moments of significance.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 刻 with similar-sounding words, so attention to tone is crucial. It's primarily used in formal contexts when discussing time (e.g., 一刻钟 for 'a quarter of an hour') and can also appear in artistic discussions. Be cautious not to use it incorrectly in colloquial speech.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, 刻 connects well with other time-related vocabulary, such as 小时 (xiǎoshí, hour) and 分钟 (fēnzhōng, minute). Focus on understanding its usage in both timekeeping and craftsmanship to deepen comprehension.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, carving has historical significance, often seen in crafts like jade carving and woodblock printing, reflecting the artistry and the importance of time in daily life and rituals.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 刻 by incorrectly pairing it with other time-related words, such as saying '刻钟' (kèzhōng) instead of '一刻钟' (yī kè zhōng). Ensure you include the correct quantifier when referring to time.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 刻

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Etymology of 刻

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

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 亥 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

knife

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 刻?

Decomposition of 刻

IDS Structure⿰亥刂
刻Full Character
=
亥hai4
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 刻?

Write 刻

刻

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 刻

刻 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 8 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

决定本场比赛结果的进球是在中场休息前一____打入的。

The goal that decided the match came just before the interval.

Common Confusions with 刻

刻vs客
kè

Same pronunciation but different meaning and character

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "quarter (hour)"?

or

Example Sentences for 刻 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
决定本场比赛结果的进球是在中场休息前一刻打入的。

jué dìng běn cháng bǐ sài jié guǒ de jìn qiú shì zài zhōng cháng xiū xī qián yī kè dǎ rù de。

The goal that decided the match came just before the interval.
2
一旦作出决定，事情就立刻顺理成章地发展下去了。

yī dàn zuò chū jué dìng， ， shì qíng jiù lì kè shùn lǐ chéng zhāng dì fā zhǎn xià qù。

Once the decision was made, things fell into place rapidly.
3
这两天都将安排发出3列时刻不同的火车。

zhè liǎng tiān dū jiāng ān pái fā chū3 3 liè shí kè bù tóng de huǒ。

On both days, three very different trains will be timetabled.
4
这艘船的注册编号刻在前舱的左舷上。

zhè sōu chuán de zhù cè biān hào kè zài qián cāng de zuǒ xián shàng。

Her official number is carved on the port side of the forecabin.
5
他们最终来到一扇雕刻精美的对开门前。

tā mén zuì zhōng lái dào yī shàn diāo kè jīng měi de duì kāi mén qián。

Eventually they reached a pair of ornately carved doors.
6
我们时刻准备着为每一寸领土而战。

wǒ mén shí kè zhǔn bèi zháo wéi měi yī cùn lǐng tǔ ér zhàn。

We are prepared to fight for every inch of territory.
7
此刻我需要的是一份孝心。

cǐ kè wǒ xū yào de shì yī fèn xiào xīn。

Right now I'm in need of a little filial affection.
8
片刻之后，他们身边出现了一只装着香槟的冰桶。

piàn kè zhī hòu， ， tā mén shēn biān chū xiàn le yī zhī zhuāng zháo xiāng bīn de bīng。

A moment or two later champagne in an ice-bucket materialized beside them.
9
他只求一杯清茶、片刻小憩。

tā zhī qiú yī bēi qīng chá、 、 piàn kè xiǎo。

All he wanted was a cup of tea and a sit-down.
10
几乎是凭着一股疯狂的热情，马克斯警告人们不要刻意追求晒成一身古铜色。

jī hū shì píng zháo yī gǔ fēng kuáng de rè qíng， ， mǎ kè sī jǐng gào rén mén bù yào kè yì zhuī qiú shài chéng yī shēn gǔ tóng。

With almost evangelical fervour, Marks warns against deliberately seeking a tan.

Cultural Notes for 刻

💡Did you know?

'刻' is often used in time-telling in Chinese, such as '三刻' (three quarters) and '一刻' (a quarter). This reflects the importance of precise time in Chinese culture.

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, carving has historical significance, often seen in crafts like jade carving and woodblock printing, reflecting the artistry and the importance of time in daily life and rituals.

Word Family of 刻

Words Containing This Character20
时刻shíkètime時刻
立刻lìkèforthwith
深刻shēnkèprofound
刻kèmoment
此刻cǐkènow
片刻piànkèa moment
刻意kèyìmeticulous
刻薄unkind
此时此刻at this very moment此時此刻
苛刻kēkèharsh
即刻immediately
刻苦kèkǔhardworking
雕刻diāokèto carve
无时无刻all the time無時無刻
时时刻刻at all times時時刻刻
刻骨铭心unforgettable刻骨銘心
每时每刻at all times每時每刻
刻画to portray刻畫
刻不容缓kèbùrónghuǎnto brook no delay刻不容緩
刻度marked scale
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 时刻 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 刻

Common phrases include '刻钟' (kèzhōng), which means 'quarter hour', and '刻苦' (kèkǔ), meaning 'to work hard' or 'diligent'. These phrases highlight the versatile uses of the character in different contexts.