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March 24, 2026
鼓舞gǔwǔ(gu3wu3)
鼓舞 (gǔwǔ) means to inspire or boost someone's spirits, often through encouraging words or actions. It is commonly used in contexts where motivation is needed, such as during difficult times or in team settings to uplift morale.
Strokes27Frequency#7186DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture,鼓舞 is often associated with collective efforts, such as during sports events or communal celebrations, where the act of uplifting one another plays a crucial role in achieving common goals.
Memory Tip
Think of 鼓 (gǔ) as a drum that beats rhythmically to create excitement, while 舞 (wǔ) means dance. Together, they evoke an image of a lively environment where music and dance uplift people's spirits, making it easier to remember that 鼓舞 means to inspire or encourage.
Meanings of 鼓舞
gǔwǔ(gu3wu3)
1heartening (news)
2boost (morale)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 鼓舞
鼓舞Simplified
27Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#7186Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 鼓舞
Podcast: 鼓舞
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AI Study Notes for 鼓舞
Quick Contrast
激励 (jīlì) — use 鼓舞 when emphasizing emotional uplift, while 激励 focuses more on motivation through encouragement or incentives.
Usage Notes
This verb is often used in motivational speeches or contexts where encouragement is needed. Be careful not to confuse it with similar words like 激励 (jīlì), which means to motivate; 鼓舞 is more about emotional uplift. Use it in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 鼓舞 connects with other words related to emotions and motivation, such as 感动 (gǎndòng, moved) and 激励 (jīlì, motivate). Focus on understanding its usage in sentences to enhance your conversational skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 鼓舞 in contexts that require a more neutral term like 提升 (tíshēng, to enhance). For example, saying '这本书鼓舞我的知识' (This book inspires my knowledge) should be corrected to '这本书提升了我的知识'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鼓舞
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Knowing 鼓舞 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.
鼓舞 (gǔwǔ) means to inspire or boost someone's spirits, often through encouraging words or actions. It is commonly used in contexts where motivation is needed, such as during difficult times or in team settings to uplift morale.
When to use 鼓舞
This verb is often used in motivational speeches or contexts where encouragement is needed. Be careful not to confuse it with similar words like 激励 (jīlì), which means to motivate; 鼓舞 is more about emotional uplift. Use it in both formal and informal settings.
鼓舞 or something close to it
激励 (jīlì) — use 鼓舞 when emphasizing emotional uplift, while 激励 focuses more on motivation through encouragement or incentives.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 鼓舞 in contexts that require a more neutral term like 提升 (tíshēng, to enhance). For example, saying '这本书鼓舞我的知识' (This book inspires my knowledge) should be corrected to '这本书提升了我的知识'.
Write 鼓舞
鼓
舞
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Grammar Patterns of 鼓舞
鼓舞 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 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这个展览是一次不但令人愉快，而且还____人心的体验。
The exhibition is an enjoyable and, ultimately, life-affirming experience.
