HSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, radical 酉, rank #733, Hard
酷
kù
hip
HSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, radical 酉, rank #733, Hard
kù(ku4) T4
1ruthless
2strong (e.g. of wine)
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March 24, 2026
酷kù(ku4)
The character 酷 (kù) primarily means 'cool' in a modern, informal sense, often referring to someone or something that is stylish or impressive. It can also describe intensity or strength, particularly in reference to strong alcoholic beverages or a person's demeanor, suggesting a level of ruthlessness or intensity. This word is commonly used in youth slang and informal contexts.
Strokes14Radical酉Frequency#733DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The use of 酷 as a loanword to mean 'cool' reflects the influence of Western pop culture on Chinese youth. It is often associated with trends in music, fashion, and technology, showcasing the blending of cultures.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cool cat wearing sunglasses (representing '酷') that exudes a strong, confident vibe. The top part of the character resembles a cat's ears, while the bottom part can remind you of a strong drink, linking to its meanings of both 'cool' and 'intense.'
Meanings of 酷
kù(ku4)
1ruthless
2strong (e.g. of wine)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 酷
酷Simplified
14Strokes
酉Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#733Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 酷
Podcast: 酷
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AI Study Notes for 酷
Quick Contrast
酷 (kù) vs 凉 (liáng) — use 酷 for stylish or impressive qualities, while 凉 refers to a cool temperature or feeling.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cool cat wearing sunglasses (representing '酷') that exudes a strong, confident vibe. The top part of the character resembles a cat's ears, while the bottom part can remind you of a strong drink, linking to its meanings of both 'cool' and 'intense.'
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 酷 with similar-sounding words or characters that have different meanings. It is mainly used in informal conversations, especially among younger people, so it may not be suitable for formal situations. Common collocations include 酷炫 (kù xuàn, meaning 'cool and flashy') or 酷爱 (kù ài, meaning 'to love something cool').
HSK Study Tips
Though 酷 is not part of the official HSK levels, it aligns with the vocabulary of higher levels due to its modern usage. Students should focus on understanding slang and informal expressions, as well as recognizing how this word fits into contemporary cultural contexts.
Cultural Note
The use of 酷 as a loanword to mean 'cool' reflects the influence of Western pop culture on Chinese youth. It is often associated with trends in music, fashion, and technology, showcasing the blending of cultures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 酷 in formal contexts, which can sound inappropriate. For example, saying '这个设计非常酷' (This design is very cool) in a business meeting might be too casual; instead, a more formal expression would be preferable.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 酷
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Grammar Patterns of 酷
酷 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 6 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
Complete the Sentence
阿根廷盛夏的____热真让我大吃一惊。
I was simply staggered by the heat of the Argentinian high-summer.
Example Sentences for 酷 (10)
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1
阿根廷盛夏的酷热真让我大吃一惊。
ā gēn tíng shèng xià de kù rè zhēn ràng wǒ dà chī yī jīng。
I was simply staggered by the heat of the Argentinian high-summer.
2
我是个酷爱看火车的人。
wǒ shì gè kù ài kàn huǒ chē de rén。
I was a devoted train spotter.
3
他是个酷爱阅读的人，总觉得书不够读。
tā shì gè kù ài yuè dú de rén， ， zǒng jué dé shū bù gòu。
He misses not having enough books because he's an avid reader.
4
那不是有些太残酷了吗？
nà bù shì yǒu xiē tài cán kù le ma？
Isn't that a bit harsh?
5
他竭力想扮酷，赶时髦。
tā jié lì xiǎng bàn kù， ， gǎn shí。
He was trying to be really cool and trendy.
6
她看我的眼神冷酷无比。
tā kàn wǒ de yǎn shén lěng kù wú bǐ。
She gave me the stoniest look I ever got.
7
他看着我，冷酷的眼神里闪过一丝嘲笑。
tā kàn zháo wǒ， ， lěng kù de yǎn shén lǐ shǎn guò yī sī cháo。
He looked at me, a flicker of amusement in his cold eyes.
8
叶子在酷热的阳光下容易枯黄。
yè zǐ zài kù rè de yáng guāng xià róng yì kū huáng。
The leaves are inclined to scorch in hot sunshine.
The use of 酷 as a loanword to mean 'cool' reflects the influence of Western pop culture on Chinese youth. It is often associated with trends in music, fashion, and technology, showcasing the blending of cultures.
Word Family of 酷
Words Containing This Character13
酷kùruthless
残酷cánkùcruel殘酷
冷酷lěngkùgrim
酷似kùsìto strikingly resemble
酷爱to be keen on酷愛
严酷bitter嚴酷
酷暑intense heat
酷刑cruelty
酷热torrid heat酷熱
冷酷无情lěngkùwúqíngcold-hearted冷酷無情
残酷无情cruel and unfeeling (idiom)殘酷無情
酷烈intense
酷肖to strikingly resemble
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 酷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 酷
The character 酷 (kù) has several meanings, including 'ruthless' and 'strong', especially in reference to the potency of wine. Its most common usage today, however, is to denote something that is stylish or impressive, often in casual contexts.
Yes, 酷 (kù) is considered a loanword in Chinese, often borrowed from English to describe something that is 'cool' or fashionable. It reflects the influence of Western culture on modern Chinese slang and is widely used among the youth.
You can use 酷 (kù) to express that something is cool or impressive. For example, you might say '这部电影真酷' (Zhè bù diànyǐng zhēn kù) which means 'This movie is really cool.' It can also be used to describe someone's attitude or style.
酷 (kù) means 'cool' or 'hip' in a contemporary context, often used to describe something stylish or impressive. It can also mean 'ruthless' or 'strong', particularly in reference to the intensity of something like wine. This word is commonly used in informal conversations among younger speakers.
No, 酷 is primarily used in informal contexts, especially among younger generations and in casual conversations.
Yes, it can describe a person who is stylish or impressive, often indicating a sense of confidence.
Synonyms include 帅 (shuài), meaning 'handsome' or 'cool' in a more traditional sense, and 棒 (bàng), meaning 'great' or 'fantastic'.
