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区 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
区ŌuareaHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区ŌuregionHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区ŌudistrictHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区ŌusmallHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区ŌudistinguishHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区Ōuarea, district, region, ward; surnameHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区Ōusurname OuHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区qūareaHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区qūregionHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区qūdistrictHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区qūsmallHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区qūdistinguishHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区qūarea, district, region, ward; surnameHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
区qūsurname OuHSK 4, n, 4 strokes, radical 匸, rank #958, Medium
Ōu(Ou1)ou
primary
T1
  1. 1area
  2. 2region
Also a Chinese surname, Ou — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

区(區)Ōu(Ou1)

The character 区 (qū) primarily means 'area' or 'district.' It is commonly used to refer to specific regions within a city or country, and it can denote administrative divisions. Additionally, it can also be a surname, Ou, though this usage is less frequent.

Strokes4Radical匸Frequency#958DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese cities, 区 is crucial for understanding urban planning and governance, as cities are often divided into various districts, each with its own administrative responsibilities. For example, Beijing has many different 区s, each representing a unique cultural and historical context.

Memory tip

Imagine a map divided into sections, each marked with the character 区. The two components—'区' resembles a 'divided area' with its boxy shape, which represents different sections of land. Visualize each area as a unique space to help remember the pronunciation 'qū' and its meaning related to 'area.'

Meanings of 区

Ōu(Ou1)
primary
1area
2region
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 区 means.

About 区

区Simplified
區Traditional
4Strokes
匸Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#958Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 区

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Podcast: 区

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AI study notes for 区

Quick Contrast

区域 (qūyù) - use 区 (qū) for a more general or informal reference to an area, while 区域 (qūyù) is more specific and formal.

Usage Notes

When using 区, it’s important to note that it tends to appear in formal contexts, such as government or administrative discussions. Common collocations include 区域 (qūyù, region) and 区划 (qūhuà, district division). Be careful not to confuse 区 (qū) with 去 (qù, to go), as they are pronounced similarly but have different meanings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 区 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above due to its common usage in discussing locations. Students should focus on using it in context with other location-related terms like 地区 (dìqū, area) and 乡区 (xiāngqū, township).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 区 with 取 (qǔ, to take), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我从这个区取书' (I take books from this area) is incorrect; it should be '我从这个区借书' (I borrow books from this area).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 区

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Etymology of 区

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 區. Depicts a group of things (品) in an enclosed area.

Memory hint

A place 匸 under a lord's control 乂

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 区?

Decomposition of 区

IDS Structure⿷匸乂
区Full character
=
匸xi4
enclosing
乂yi4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 区?

How to say area in Chinese

“area” in Chinese is区Ōu

The character 区 (qū) primarily means 'area' or 'district.' It is commonly used to refer to specific regions within a city or country, and it can denote administrative divisions. Additionally, it can also be a surname, Ou, though this usage is less frequent.

When to use 区

When using 区, it’s important to note that it tends to appear in formal contexts, such as government or administrative discussions. Common collocations include 区域 (qūyù, region) and 区划 (qūhuà, district division). Be careful not to confuse 区 (qū) with 去 (qù, to go), as they are pronounced similarly but have different meanings.

区 or something close to it

区域 (qūyù) - use 区 (qū) for a more general or informal reference to an area, while 区域 (qūyù) is more specific and formal.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 区 with 取 (qǔ, to take), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我从这个区取书' (I take books from this area) is incorrect; it should be '我从这个区借书' (I borrow books from this area).

Write 区

区

Practice writing 区 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 区

区 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 7 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

大熊猫主要生活于中国西南地____。

Giant pandas mainly live in southwestern China.

Common confusions with 区

区vs去
qù

Both share the same initial consonant and tones, but have different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “area”?

or

Example sentences for 区 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
该国内地的很多地区无法即时报告艾滋病病例。

gāi guónèi dì de hěn duō dìqū wúfǎ jíshí bàogào àizībìng bìng lì。

Many areas in the country'sinterior are unable to report Aids cases immediately.
2
军官们打算重新夺回该市的防御区。

jūnguān men dǎsuàn chóngxīn duó huí gāi shì de fángyù Ōu。

Officers were going to retake sectors of the city.
3
那些地区通过完善的公路系统相互连接。

nàxiē dìqū tōngguò wánshàn de gōnglù xìtǒng xiānghù liánjiē。

The regions are interconnected by an excellent highway system.
4
发电站烧的煤产自鲁尔地区。

fādiàn zhàn shāo de méi chǎn zì Lǔ ěr dìqū。

The power stations burn coal from the Ruhr region.
5
为什么像大学这样人才济济的社区要害怕虚无主义呢?

wèishénme xiàng dàxué zhèyàng réncái jì jì de shèqū yàohài pà xū wú zhǔyì ne?

Why should a great community like a university be afraid of nihilism?
6
如果你得不到任何赔偿,向园区所有者投诉。

rúguǒ nǐ de bù dào rènhé péicháng, xiàng yuánqū suǒyǒu zhě tóusù。

If you can't get any satisfaction, complain to the park owner.
7
语言是将人类与动物区分开来的基本特征。

yǔyán shì jiāng rénlèi yǔ dòngwù qūfēn kāi lái de jīběn tèzhēng。

Language is something which fundamentally distinguishes humans from animals.
8
法国西南部的这个地区是干红葡萄酒的产地。

fǎ guó xīnán bù de zhège dìqū shì gān hóng pútaojiǔ de chǎndì。

This south-west region of France is the home of claret.
9
渡船是苏格兰边远地区的生命线。

dù chuán shì sū gé lán biānyuǎn dìqū de shēngmìngxiàn。

Ferries are a lifeline to the far-flung corners of Scotland.
10
真正的危险是该国东部地区的民众动乱。

zhēnzhèng de wēixiǎn shì gāi guó dōngbù dìqū de mínzhòng dòng luàn。

The real danger is civil unrest in the east of the country.

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Cultural Notes for 区

💡Did you know?

在中国,城市通常被划分为不同的区。例如,北京有东城区、西城区等。这种区的划分帮助政府进行管理和规划。

Word Family of 区

Compounds18
欧ōuEurope
驱qūvariant of 驅
呕ǒuvomit
殴ōusurname Ou
躯qūthe human body
枢shūdoor hinge; pivot; center of power
鸥ōuseagull, tern; Larus species (various)
抠kōuto lift, to raise; tight-fisted
岖qūsteep, sheer; rugged, rough
讴ōusongs; to sing
妪yùold woman, hag; to protect; to brood over
怄òuannoyed
沤ōuto soak, to steep; sodden, soaked
伛yǔhumpback; stoop
奁liánlady's vanity case; trousseau
眍kōusunken eyes
駆qū
鴎ōu
Words containing this character20
区Ōuarea區
地区dìqūlocal地區
区域qūyùarea區域
社区shèqūcommunity社區
区别qūbiédifference區別
街区jiēqūblock (between streets)街區
小区xiǎoqūneighborhood小區
市区shìqūdowntown市區
特区tèqūabbr. for 特別行政區|特别行政区特區
郊区jiāoqūoutskirts郊區
禁区jìnqūrestricted area禁區
区分qūfēnto differentiate區分
城区chéngqūcity district城區
山区shānqūmountain area山區
开发区kāifāqūdevelopment zone開發區
自治区zìzhìqūautonomous region, namely: Inner Mongolia 內蒙古自治區|内蒙古自治区, Guangxi 廣西壯族自治區|广西壮族自治区, Tibet 西藏自治區|西藏自治区, Ningxia 寧夏回族自治區|宁夏回族自治区, Xinjiang 新疆維吾爾自治區|新疆维吾尔自治区自治區
辖区xiáqūadministrative region轄區
景区jǐngqūscenic area景區
园区yuánqū(industrial or technology) park園區
区间qūjiāninterval (math.)區間
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 区

What does 欧 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 区

While both 区 (qū) and 地区 (dìqū) can refer to areas or regions, 区 is often used for smaller districts or divisions within cities, whereas 地区 typically refers to larger geographical areas. It's important to choose the right term based on the context.

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