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壶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
壶
hú
pot
HSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 士, rank #7643, Hard
壶
hú
classifier for bottled liquid
HSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 士, rank #7643, Hard
壶
hú
jar, pot, jug, vase; surname
HSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 士, rank #7643, Hard
hú(hu2)hu T2
1pot
2classifier for bottled liquid
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March 24, 2026
壶(壺)hú(hu2)
The character 壶 (hú) primarily refers to a pot or jug, often used for holding liquids such as tea or water. It can also function as a classifier for bottled liquids, similar to how one might use 'bottle' in English. In daily life, you might encounter this word in contexts related to cooking, serving beverages, or discussing traditional tea practices.
Strokes10Radical士Frequency#7643DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the teapot (壶) is not just a functional item but also an integral part of tea ceremonies, symbolizing hospitality and respect. Traditional teapots are often beautifully crafted and can be considered works of art.
Memory tip
Imagine a round, bulbous pot (壶) with a handle, reminiscent of a friendly giant holding a jug of tea. The radical '土' (earth) at the bottom suggests the pot is made from clay, connecting the character's form to its meaning as a vessel.
Meanings of 壶
hú(hu2)
1pot
2classifier for bottled liquid
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 壶 means.
About 壶
壶Simplified
壺Traditional
10Strokes
士Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7643Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 壶
Podcast: 壶
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AI study notes for 壶
Quick Contrast
壶 (hú) vs 瓶 (píng) — use 壶 when specifically referring to a pot or jug for liquids, while 瓶 refers to a bottle.
Usage Notes
While using 壶, learners sometimes confuse it with similar words for containers. It's important to use 壶 specifically for pots or jugs, not for all types of containers. Additionally, be mindful of the tone, as a mispronunciation could lead to misunderstandings with other words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 壶 connects well with other vocabulary related to cooking and dining. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts, especially in phrases related to tea culture and household items. Familiarity with related classifiers will enhance comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 壶 with other container words like 瓶 (píng) or 罐 (guàn). For example, saying '我有两瓶茶壶' (I have two bottles of teapots) is incorrect; it should be '我有两壶茶' (I have two pots of tea).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 壶
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 壶 is seven skills, not one.
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 壶 (hú) primarily refers to a pot or jug, often used for holding liquids such as tea or water. It can also function as a classifier for bottled liquids, similar to how one might use 'bottle' in English. In daily life, you might encounter this word in contexts related to cooking, serving beverages, or discussing traditional tea practices.
When to use 壶
While using 壶, learners sometimes confuse it with similar words for containers. It's important to use 壶 specifically for pots or jugs, not for all types of containers. Additionally, be mindful of the tone, as a mispronunciation could lead to misunderstandings with other words.
壶 or something close to it
壶 (hú) vs 瓶 (píng) — use 壶 when specifically referring to a pot or jug for liquids, while 瓶 refers to a bottle.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 壶 with other container words like 瓶 (píng) or 罐 (guàn). For example, saying '我有两瓶茶壶' (I have two bottles of teapots) is incorrect; it should be '我有两壶茶' (I have two pots of tea).
Write 壶
壶
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Practice writing 壶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 壶
壶 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 3 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.
煤火烧得正旺，上面的铁茶____嘶嘶地响个不停。
The iron teakettle was hissing splendidly over live coals.
Example sentences for 壶 (10)
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1
煤火烧得正旺，上面的铁茶壶嘶嘶地响个不停。
méi huǒ shāo de zhèng wàng， shàngmiàn de tiě cháhú sī sī dì xiǎng gè bùtíng。
The iron teakettle was hissing splendidly over live coals.
2
她正在鼓捣咖啡壶，那壶又坏了。
tā zhèngzài gǔ dǎo kāfēi hú， nà hú yòu huài le。
She was messing with the coffee pot, which was acting up again.
3
她说话间，我把水壶灌满并插上了电源。
tā shuōhuà jiān， wǒ bǎ shuǐhú guàn mǎn bìng chā shàng le diànyuán。
I filled the kettle while she was talking and plugged it in.
