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库 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
库
kù
warehouse
HSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 广, rank #2656, Hard
库
kù
storehouse
HSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 广, rank #2656, Hard
库
kù
armory, treasury, warehouse
HSK 5, n, 7 strokes, radical 广, rank #2656, Hard
库
kù
(file) library
HSK 5, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 广, rank #2656, Hard
kù(ku4)ku T4
1warehouse
2storehouse
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March 24, 2026
库(庫)kù(ku4)
The character 库 (kù) refers to a storage facility or repository, such as a warehouse or storehouse. It can also denote a treasury or armory, where valuable items or resources are kept. The term is often used in contexts relating to inventory, resource management, or archives.
Strokes7Radical广Frequency#2656DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese society, warehouses played a crucial role in the storage of grain and resources, particularly during times of famine or economic uncertainty. The concept of a 'treasury' is also tied to the historical significance of trade and wealth management in ancient China.
Memory tip
Imagine a big 'K' with an open roof, symbolizing a large building where valuable items are stored. Think of 'kù' as a 'coup' of treasures waiting inside a grand warehouse.
Meanings of 库
kù(ku4)
1warehouse
2storehouse
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 库
库Simplified
庫Traditional
7Strokes
广Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2656Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2
Podcast: 库
Podcast: 库
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AI study notes for 库
Quick Contrast
仓 (cāng) — use 库 (kù) for a broader range of storage contexts, while 仓 (cāng) specifically refers to a granary or warehouse for bulk storage.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 库 with similar-sounding characters such as 酷 (kù, meaning 'cool'). It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in business and logistics. Common collocations include '仓库' (cāngkù, meaning 'warehouse') and '资料库' (zīliàokù, meaning 'database').
HSK Study Tips
While 库 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with words at HSK 3 and 4 levels that involve places or storage, such as '商店' (shāngdiàn, 'shop') and '图书馆' (túshūguǎn, 'library'). Focus on its usage in compound words.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 库 by confusing it with similar characters like 库房 (kùfáng, meaning 'storehouse'), using it interchangeably with terms for smaller storage spaces. Remember, 库 refers to larger storage facilities.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 库
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The character 库 (kù) refers to a storage facility or repository, such as a warehouse or storehouse. It can also denote a treasury or armory, where valuable items or resources are kept. The term is often used in contexts relating to inventory, resource management, or archives.
When to use 库
Be careful not to confuse 库 with similar-sounding characters such as 酷 (kù, meaning 'cool'). It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in business and logistics. Common collocations include '仓库' (cāngkù, meaning 'warehouse') and '资料库' (zīliàokù, meaning 'database').
库 or something close to it
仓 (cāng) — use 库 (kù) for a broader range of storage contexts, while 仓 (cāng) specifically refers to a granary or warehouse for bulk storage.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 库 by confusing it with similar characters like 库房 (kùfáng, meaning 'storehouse'), using it interchangeably with terms for smaller storage spaces. Remember, 库 refers to larger storage facilities.
Write 库
库
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Grammar patterns of 库
库 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 4 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____克船长驾驶的船安全出航100次无事故。
Captain Cook safely navigated his ship without accident for 100 voyages.
Mr Cook is intending to go to the Middle East on Friday.
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Word Family of 库
Compounds1
裤kùvariant of 褲
Words containing this character20
库kùwarehouse庫
仓库cāngkùdepot倉庫
数据库shùjùkùdatabase數據庫
库存kùcúnstock庫存
车库chēkùgarage車庫
水库shuǐkùreservoir水庫
巴库bākùBaku, capital of Azerbaijan巴庫
金库jīnkùtreasury金庫
国库guókùpublic purse國庫
库房kùfángstoreroom庫房
宝库bǎokùtreasury寶庫
库克kùkèCook (name)庫克
书库shūkùa store room for books書庫
库尔德kù’ěrdéKurd庫爾德
资料库zīliàokùdatabase資料庫
小金库xiǎojīnkùprivate fund小金庫
油库yóukùfuel depot油庫
血库xuèkùblood bank血庫
国库券guókùquàntreasury bond國庫券
文库wénkùlibrary文庫
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 库
What does 仓库 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 库
Common phrases with 库 include '仓库' (cāngkù), meaning 'storage warehouse', and '资料库' (zīliàokù), which translates to 'database'. These phrases highlight the versatility of the character in different contexts.
Yes, 库 is commonly used in modern Chinese, especially in contexts related to logistics, data management, and storage. Its relevance in both physical and digital domains makes it a useful character to learn for contemporary language use.
库 (kù) means 'warehouse' or 'storehouse' in Chinese. It can refer to a physical place where goods are stored, such as a storage facility or an armory. Additionally, it can denote a library in the context of digital files or data storage.
You can use 库 (kù) in sentences to refer to a place for storage. For example, '这个库里有很多书' means 'There are many books in this warehouse.' It can also be used in phrases like '数据仓库' (data warehouse) to describe a place where data is stored.
In a sentence, 库 can be used as follows: '这个库里存放着很多书' (This warehouse stores many books).
库 is often used in business contexts, referring to warehouses or storage spaces, and in technology when discussing databases.
Yes, 库 is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for discussions about storage and resources.
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