Meanings of 扣
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About 扣
Podcast: 扣
Podcast: 扣
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AI Study Notes for 扣
扣 (kòu) vs 夹 (jiā) — use 扣 when referring specifically to fastening or buttoning, while 夹 is more about clamping or pinching.
Be cautious with the pronunciation as it can confuse learners when used in different tones. It's often used in contexts related to finance (扣款, 'to deduct payment') or in law enforcement (扣押, 'to detain'). Misusing it in informal contexts may lead to misunderstandings.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 扣 connects with other verbs that imply action or control, such as 绑 (bǎng, 'to tie') and 拿 (ná, 'to take'). Focus on its various uses in different contexts to enhance vocabulary breadth.
Learners often confuse 扣 with other similar-sounding words. For example, they might say 扣了 (kòu le) when they mean '扣款' (kòu kuǎn, 'deduct money'), losing the specific meaning of the term. Always clarify the context to avoid ambiguity.
Pronunciation of 扣
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Etymology of 扣
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 口 represents the sound. Simplified form of 釦.
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 扣
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 口 represents the sound. Simplified form of 釦.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half口 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 扣? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 扣?
Decomposition of 扣
Identify the Components
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How to say to fasten in Chinese
“to fasten” in Chinese is扣
The character 扣 (kòu) primarily means 'to fasten' or 'to button,' but it also encompasses a range of meanings including 'to deduct,' 'to arrest,' and 'to cover.' Commonly used in both literal contexts, such as fastening clothing, and figurative contexts, such as deducting money or tagging someone, it reflects a versatile notion of attachment and removal.
When to use 扣
Be cautious with the pronunciation as it can confuse learners when used in different tones. It's often used in contexts related to finance (扣款, 'to deduct payment') or in law enforcement (扣押, 'to detain'). Misusing it in informal contexts may lead to misunderstandings.
扣 or something close to it
扣 (kòu) vs 夹 (jiā) — use 扣 when referring specifically to fastening or buttoning, while 夹 is more about clamping or pinching.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 扣 with other similar-sounding words. For example, they might say 扣了 (kòu le) when they mean '扣款' (kòu kuǎn, 'deduct money'), losing the specific meaning of the term. Always clarify the context to avoid ambiguity.
Write 扣
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Practice writing 扣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 扣
扣 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 15 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.
Complete the Sentence
依据公司的规定，迟到要____工资。
According to company rules, being late results in a pay deduction.
Example Sentences for 扣 (10)
Word Family of 扣
Compound Meaning
What does 筘 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 扣
Common phrases include 扣钱 (kòu qián, 'to deduct money') and 扣押 (kòu yā, 'to detain').
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