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港口 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
港口gǎngkǒuportHSK 6, n, 15 strokes, rank #5789, Hard
港口gǎngkǒuharborHSK 6, n, 15 strokes, rank #5789, Hard
gǎngkǒu(gang3kou3)gang kou T3
  1. 1port
  2. 2harbor
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March 24, 2026

港口gǎngkǒu(gang3kou3)

港口 (gǎngkǒu) refers to a port or harbor, a place where ships dock to load and unload cargo and passengers. It is commonly used in contexts related to transportation, trade, and maritime activities.

Strokes15Frequency#5789DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Ports have historically been vital to China's trade, especially during the Maritime Silk Road era, connecting China with the rest of the world. Major cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou are known for their significant ports that facilitate global commerce.

Memory Tip

Think of '港' (gǎng) as a 'gang' of ships coming together at a '口' (kǒu) or mouth of the water. Visualize a bustling harbor where many ships are gathered, creating a 'gang' at the 'port' where they exchange goods.

Meanings of 港口

gǎngkǒu(gang3kou3)
1port
2harbor
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 港口

港口Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5789Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 港口

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Podcast: 港口

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AI Study Notes for 港口

Quick Contrast

码头 (mǎtóu) - use 港口 when referring to a port in a broader sense, while 码头 is more specific to a dock or wharf.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 港口 with other transportation-related words like 机场 (jīchǎng) for airport. This term is neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include '海港' (hǎigǎng - seaport) and '货运港口' (huòyùn gǎngkǒu - freight port).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 港口 connects with other vocabulary related to transportation and trade, such as 船 (chuán - ship) and 交通 (jiāotōng - transportation). Focus on understanding its use in context, especially in reading about trade and logistics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 港口 by confusing the tones, saying 'gángkǒu' instead of 'gǎngkǒu'. Additionally, some might incorrectly use it to refer to any transportation hub, which it is not.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 港口

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Component Characters

港GǎngHong Kong, abbr. for 香港[Xiāng gǎng]
HSK 712 strokes氵
View full entry
口kǒumouth
HSK 13 strokes口
View full entry

How to say port in Chinese

“port” in Chinese is港口gǎngkǒu

港口 (gǎngkǒu) refers to a port or harbor, a place where ships dock to load and unload cargo and passengers. It is commonly used in contexts related to transportation, trade, and maritime activities.

When to use 港口

Be careful not to confuse 港口 with other transportation-related words like 机场 (jīchǎng) for airport. This term is neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include '海港' (hǎigǎng - seaport) and '货运港口' (huòyùn gǎngkǒu - freight port).

港口 or something close to it

码头 (mǎtóu) - use 港口 when referring to a port in a broader sense, while 码头 is more specific to a dock or wharf.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 港口 by confusing the tones, saying 'gángkǒu' instead of 'gǎngkǒu'. Additionally, some might incorrectly use it to refer to any transportation hub, which it is not.

Write 港口

港
口

Practice writing 港口 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 港口

港口 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 2 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 4

Fill the gap

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

一路上，汽船在好几个____停靠。

The steamer calls at several ports along the way.

Example Sentences for 港口 (10)

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1
一路上，汽船在好几个港口停靠。

yī lù shàng， ， qì chuán zài hǎo jī gè gǎng kǒu tíng。

The steamer calls at several ports along the way.
2
污水中的营养物确实会加快港口的海藻生长。

wū shuǐ zhōng de yíng yǎng wù què shí huì jiā kuài gǎng kǒu de hǎi zǎo shēng cháng。

Sewage nutrients do increase algal growth in the harbour.
3
戴维·克莱门特上尉和150名突击队员今天早上对港口展开突袭。

dài wéi· · kè lái mén tè shàng wèi150 hé 150 míng tū jī duì yuán jīn tiān zǎo shàng duì gǎng kǒu zhǎn kāi。

Captain David Clement and 150 commandos stormed the port this morning.
4
我挥手告别，然后走下港口石阶。

wǒ huī shǒu gào bié， ， rán hòu zǒu xià gǎng kǒu shí。

I waved goodbye and went down the stone harbour steps.
5
老港口已经淤塞.

lǎo gǎng kǒu yǐ jīng yū sāi.

The old harbour has silted up.
6
这个港口离纽约的航程不到两天.

zhè gè gǎng kǒu lí niǔ yuē de háng chéng bù dào liǎng tiān.

This port is within two days'sail of New York.
7
船只必须在指定的港口把捕到的鱼卸下。

chuán zhī bì xū zài zhǐ dìng de gǎng kǒu bǎ bǔ dào de yú xiè xià。

The vessels will have to land their catch at designated ports.
8
港口里满是船只。

gǎng kǒu lǐ mǎn shì chuán zhī。

The Harbor was replete with boats.
9
该船获准在波士顿港口停泊。

gāi chuán huò zhǔn zài bō shì dùn gǎng kǒu tíng bó。

The ship was permitted to tie up in Bos-ton harbour.
10
5辆救护车在港口待命。

5 5 liàng jiù hù chē zài gǎng kǒu dài。

Five ambulances are on standby at the port.

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Cultural Notes for 港口

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While both Chinese and Western cultures recognize the importance of ports, in China, they have often been central to economic reforms and globalization efforts, while in the West, they are more associated with military and historical significance.

Frequently Asked Questions about 港口

港口 (gǎngkǒu) refers to a larger port or harbor, while 码头 (mǎtóu) typically refers to a specific dock or wharf within that port.

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