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革 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
革
gé
animal hide
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
leather
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
to reform
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
to remove
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
革
gé
to expel (from office)
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 革, rank #15988, Hard
gé(ge2)ge T2
1animal hide
2leather
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March 24, 2026
革gé(ge2)
The character 革 (gé) primarily refers to animal hide or leather, but it also conveys ideas of reform and removal. In contexts of governance or social change, it can mean to expel or to reform systems, reflecting a transformative action. This duality of meaning emphasizes both physical material and metaphorical change.
Strokes9Radical革Frequency#15988DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of reform (革) is deeply connected to historical events like the Cultural Revolution, where significant societal changes were enacted. This character is also used in phrases related to modern reforms in governance and economics.
Memory tip
Imagine a leather shoe (革) that has been reformed into a stylish sandal. The shoe represents the 'leather' meaning, while the act of changing it symbolizes 'reform.' The pronunciation 'gé' sounds like 'gathering' around the idea of change and transformation.
Meanings of 革
gé(ge2)
1animal hide
2leather
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 革
革Simplified
9Strokes
革Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#15988Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 革
Podcast: 革
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AI study notes for 革
Quick Contrast
革 (gé) vs 改 (gǎi) — use 革 when emphasizing a transformation or removal related to systems or governance, while 改 focuses on making changes or corrections.
Usage Notes
When using 革 in a sentence, be mindful of its context; it can denote physical leather or metaphorical reform. It's commonly used in formal discussions about political or social changes. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 革 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to change and transformation. Learners at this level should focus on understanding its dual meanings and practicing sentences that illustrate both uses, especially in reform contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 革 with other characters that sound similar, such as 觉 (jué - to feel), leading to incorrect phrases like '革觉' instead of the correct usage. Always ensure the context aligns with either leather or reform to avoid confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 革
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The character 革 (gé) primarily refers to animal hide or leather, but it also conveys ideas of reform and removal. In contexts of governance or social change, it can mean to expel or to reform systems, reflecting a transformative action. This duality of meaning emphasizes both physical material and metaphorical change.
When to use 革
When using 革 in a sentence, be mindful of its context; it can denote physical leather or metaphorical reform. It's commonly used in formal discussions about political or social changes. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
革 or something close to it
革 (gé) vs 改 (gǎi) — use 革 when emphasizing a transformation or removal related to systems or governance, while 改 focuses on making changes or corrections.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 革 with other characters that sound similar, such as 觉 (jué - to feel), leading to incorrect phrases like '革觉' instead of the correct usage. Always ensure the context aligns with either leather or reform to avoid confusion.
Write 革
革
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Practice writing 革 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 革
革 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 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.
The majority have a built-in Luddite mentality; they are resistant to change.
5
他争辩说他才是真正能带来变革的候选人。
tā zhēngbiàn shuō tā cái shì zhēnzhèng néng dàilái biàngé de hòuxuǎnrén。
He argues that he is the true candidate of change.
6
1998年对所有人来说都是重要的一年：那是个变革的时期。
1998 nián duì suǒyǒu rén lái shuō dōushì zhòngyào de yī nián： nà shì gè biàngé de shíqī。
1998 was an important year for everyone: a time of change.
7
指望在他的领导下发生更深层次的变革简直是痴心妄想。
zhǐwàng zài tā de lǐngdǎo xià fāshēng gèng shēn céngcì de biàngé jiǎnzhí shì chīxīn wàngxiǎng。
It is wishful thinking to expect deeper change under his leadership.
8
他最大的革新在于使用了可互换的零件。
tā zuì dà de géxīn zàiyú shǐyòng le kě hù huàn de língjiàn。
His greatest innovation was the use of interchangeable parts.
9
他担心他们发起的大变革会遭遇失败。
tā dānxīn tāmen fāqǐ de dà biàngé huì zāoyù shībài。
He was afraid the revolution they had started would fail.
10
为什么不洗心革面、从头来过呢？
wèishénme bù xǐ xīn gé miàn、 cóngtóu lái guò ne？
Why not wipe the slate clean and start all over again?
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Cultural Notes for 革
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western contexts, the idea of 'reform' often focuses on policy changes, while in Chinese culture, it may also imply a more profound transformation of values and societal structures.
Word Family of 革
Compounds108
勒lèto strangle; to tighten
鞋xiéshoe
霸bàvariant of 霸[bà]
靴xuēboots
鞭biānwhip or lash
靶bǎtarget, mark
鞠jūsurname Ju
鞍ānsaddle
鞑dáthe Tartars
鞘qiàoscabbard, sheath
靼dáthe Tartars
鞜tà
靳jìna strap on a horse's breast
堇jǐnyellow loam; clay; season; few
鞣róuto tan, to soften
缂kèthe woof of a woven item
靪dīng
靬qián
靮dí
靰wù
靲qín
靷yǐn
靸sǎ
靺mò
靿yào
鞀táo
鞃hóng
鞄páo
鞅yāngthe strap over a horse's neck
鞇yīn
鞉táo
鞙xuàn
鞚kòng
鞝shàng
鞞bǐng
鞡la
鞥ēng
鞧qiū
鞨hé
鞫jūto question, to interrogate
鞬jiān
鞮dīleather shoes
鞯jiānsaddle blanket
鞶pán
鞹kuò
韀jiān
韅xiǎn
愅gé
煂hè
緙kè
羈jīhalter; to restrain, to hold, to control
覇bà
覊jī
諽gé
靫chá
靭rèn
靯dù
靱rèn
靵niǔ
靹nà
靻zǔ
靽bàn
靾yì
鞁bèi
鞂jiē
鞆bǐng
鞈gé
鞊jié
鞌ān
鞎hén
鞏gǒngto bind, to guard, to strengthen; firm, secure, strong
鞐qiǎ
鞒qiáoboot, mud shoe, snowshoe
鞓tīng
鞔mánto cover; leather stretched over a drum
鞕yìng
鞖suī
鞛běng
鞟kuò
鞢xiè
鞤bāng
鞦qiūleather strap; to swing
鞩qiào
鞪mù
鞰wēn
鞱tāo
鞲gōuleather bracer
鞳tà
鞴bèito saddle up, to ride
鞵xié
鞷gé
鞸bì
鞺tāng
鞻lóu
鞼guì
鞽qiáo
鞾xuē
鞿jī
韁jiāngbridle, reins
韂chàn
韃dáthe Tartars
韄hù
韆qiānthousand, many, numerous; swing, seesaw
韇dú
韈wà
韉jiān
韊lán
韚gé
Words containing this character20
改革gǎigéreform
革命gémìngrevolution
变革biàngéto transform變革
皮革pígéleather
革géleather
革新géxīnto innovate
改革开放gǎigékāifàngto reform and open to the outside world改革開放
