The term 枯竭 (kūjié) means to be exhausted or depleted, often in reference to resources such as water or energy. It is commonly used in environmental discussions or in contexts where something has been overused to the point of being completely unavailable.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
kūjié(ku1jie2) T1
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May 27, 2026
枯竭kūjié(ku1jie2)
The term 枯竭 (kūjié) means to be exhausted or depleted, often in reference to resources such as water or energy. It is commonly used in environmental discussions or in contexts where something has been overused to the point of being completely unavailable.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of depletion is significant in discussions about environmental sustainability in China, particularly concerning water scarcity in regions like North China, where over-extraction has led to serious ecological issues.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dry well (枯) that has been used so much that it is now completely empty (竭). Visualize the sound of 'kū' like a sigh of disappointment as you realize there's no water left, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
About 枯竭
枯竭Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 枯竭
Podcast: 枯竭
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AI Study Notes for 枯竭
Quick Contrast
枯竭 (kūjié) vs 贫乏 (pínfá) — use 枯竭 when emphasizing total depletion, while 贫乏 suggests scarcity or lack without necessarily implying complete exhaustion.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dry well (枯) that has been used so much that it is now completely empty (竭). Visualize the sound of 'kū' like a sigh of disappointment as you realize there's no water left, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 枯竭 with similar terms like 耗尽 (hàojìn), which means to use up completely. It is typically used in formal contexts, particularly in writing about ecology or economics, so be mindful of the register when using it in conversation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 7 word, focus on using 枯竭 in complex sentences to describe situations of depletion or exhaustion in various contexts. Connect it to other HSK 7 vocabulary related to resources or sustainability, such as 资源 (zīyuán) meaning resources.
Cultural Note
The concept of depletion is significant in discussions about environmental sustainability in China, particularly concerning water scarcity in regions like North China, where over-extraction has led to serious ecological issues.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 枯竭 with 耗尽, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '水已经耗尽' (shuǐ yǐjīng hàojìn) instead of '水已经枯竭' (shuǐ yǐjīng kūjié) can lead to a misunderstanding about the specific nature of depletion.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 枯竭
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Cultural Notes for 枯竭
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of depletion is significant in discussions about environmental sustainability in China, particularly concerning water scarcity in regions like North China, where over-extraction has led to serious ecological issues.
Frequently Asked Questions about 枯竭
You can use 枯竭 when discussing environmental issues, such as water shortages, or metaphorically in situations like emotional exhaustion.
It's more common in formal or written contexts, especially in discussions about resources or ecology, rather than in casual spoken language.
Make sure to pronounce the first syllable 'kū' with a high tone and the second syllable 'jié' with a rising tone to convey the correct meaning.
