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稿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
稿
gǎo
draft, manuscript, rough copy
HSK 7, ng, 15 strokes, radical 禾, rank #7751, Very Hard
稿
gǎo
stalk of grain
HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 禾, rank #7751, Very Hard
gǎo(gao3)gao T3
1draft, manuscript, rough copy
2stalk of grain
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
稿(稾)gǎo(gao3)
The character 稿 (gǎo) refers to a draft or manuscript, often used in contexts related to writing or documents. It can also refer to a rough copy of a text that is not yet finalized. Additionally, it is used to describe the stalk of grain, connecting it to agricultural contexts.
Strokes15Radical禾Frequency#7751DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, draft writing is a significant part of the creative process, especially in literature and academia. Many writers share their rough drafts publicly for feedback, reflecting a collaborative spirit in literary pursuits.
Memory tip
Imagine a farmer (稻) holding a rough draft (稿) of his harvest plans, where the character for grain (禾) and the idea of a rough draft come together, helping you remember both the form and meaning of 稿 (gǎo). The 'g' in 'grain' and '稿' can help you recall the pronunciation.
Meanings of 稿
gǎo(gao3)
1draft, manuscript, rough copy
2stalk of grain
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 稿 means.
About 稿
稿Simplified
稾Traditional
15Strokes
禾Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#7751Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 稿
Podcast: 稿
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AI study notes for 稿
Quick Contrast
草稿 (cǎogǎo) vs 稿 (gǎo): Use 草稿 for informal drafts or rough notes, while 稿 can refer to more formal manuscripts or documents.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 稿 (gǎo) with similar-sounding words in Chinese. It's used more in informal contexts when referring to drafts, while formal pieces may use other terms. Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 稿 (gǎo) is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 topics like writing and documents. Focus on using it in sentences related to writing drafts or manuscripts to build your vocabulary contextually.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 稿 (gǎo) with the similar-looking and sounding character 夯 (hāng). Remember that 稿 relates to drafts, while 夯 has different meanings. Another mistake is using it in formal contexts where more precise terms are required.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 稿
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Knowing 稿 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.
稿 = 禾 + 高. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 稿
IDS Structure⿰禾高
稿Full character
=
禾he2
left
高Gao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 稿?
How to say draft, manuscript, rough copy in Chinese
“draft, manuscript, rough copy” in Chinese is稿gǎo
The character 稿 (gǎo) refers to a draft or manuscript, often used in contexts related to writing or documents. It can also refer to a rough copy of a text that is not yet finalized. Additionally, it is used to describe the stalk of grain, connecting it to agricultural contexts.
When to use 稿
Common mistakes include confusing 稿 (gǎo) with similar-sounding words in Chinese. It's used more in informal contexts when referring to drafts, while formal pieces may use other terms. Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
稿 or something close to it
草稿 (cǎogǎo) vs 稿 (gǎo): Use 草稿 for informal drafts or rough notes, while 稿 can refer to more formal manuscripts or documents.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 稿 (gǎo) with the similar-looking and sounding character 夯 (hāng). Remember that 稿 relates to drafts, while 夯 has different meanings. Another mistake is using it in formal contexts where more precise terms are required.
Write 稿
稿
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Practice writing 稿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 稿
稿 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.
他同意发布一篇新的新闻____。
He gave the okay to issue a new press release.
Example sentences for 稿 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他同意发布一篇新的新闻稿。
tā tóngyì fābù yī piān xīn de xīnwén gǎo。
He gave the okay to issue a new press release.
2
我已经写好这封信的草稿。
wǒ yǐjīng xiě hǎo zhè fēng xìn de cǎo gǎo。
I've made a rough draft of the letter.
3
他们从事先准备好讲稿的演说转向一问一答的形式.
tāmen cóngshì xiān zhǔnbèi hǎo jiǎng gǎo de yǎnshuō zhuǎnxiàng yī wèn yī dá de xíngshì.
They switched from set speeches to a question - and - answer format.
4
他决定无论如何都要出版那部手稿。
tā juédìng wúlùnrúhé dōu yào chūbǎn nà bù shǒu gǎo。
He had decided to publish the manuscript no matter what.
5
直到付梓的那一刻他才完稿。
zhídào fù zǐ de nà yīkè tā cái wán gǎo。
He was writing the book up to the moment the presses rolled.
6
整整5页讲稿都是对她的政敌的诋毁。
zhěngzhěng5 yè jiǎng gǎo dōushì duì tā de zhèng dí de dǐ huǐ。
Five whole pages of script were devoted to rubbishing her political opponents.
7
17家出版社回绝了这部手稿，直到詹克斯看到了它的潜在价值。
17 jiā chūbǎnshè huí jué le zhè bù shǒu gǎo， zhídào zhān kè Sī kàndào le tā de qiánzài jiàzhí。
Seventeen publishers rejected the manuscript before Jenks saw its potential.
8
谁在乱动我的手稿? 全给弄得乱七八糟的.
shéi zài luàn dòng wǒ de shǒu gǎo? quán gěi nòng de luànqībāzāo de.
Who's pissing about with my manuscript? They're all out of order.
The old librarian illuminated some old books and manuscripts.
10
手稿是作曲家亲笔写的。
shǒu gǎo shì zuō qǔ jiā qīn bǐ xiě de。
The manuscripts were written in the composer's own hand.
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Word Family of 稿
Words containing this character20
稿gǎodraft
手稿shǒugǎomanuscript
投稿tóugǎoto contribute (writing)
稿子gǎoziscript
稿件gǎojiànmanuscript
草稿cǎogǎodraft
发稿fāgǎo(of a journalist) to send a dispatch發稿
撰稿zhuàngǎoto write (an article for publication)
稿费gǎofèiauthor's remuneration稿費
初稿chūgǎofirst draft (of writing)
原稿yuángǎomanuscript
文稿wéngǎomanuscript
撰稿人zhuàngǎorénauthor (of a manuscript)
新闻稿xīnwéngǎopress release新聞稿
书稿shūgǎomanuscript of a book書稿
截稿jiégǎo(of a newspaper) to stop accepting incoming articles
稿酬gǎochóufee paid to an author for a piece of writing
稿纸gǎozhǐdraft paper稿紙
征稿zhēnggǎoto solicit contributions (to a publication)徵稿
修改稿xiūgǎigǎorevised draft
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 稿
What does 手稿 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 稿
草稿 (cǎogǎo) specifically means 'rough draft' and is more commonly used for informal drafts, while 稿 (gǎo) can refer to various kinds of drafts or manuscripts.
It's generally more informal; for formal documents, consider using more specific terms like 文稿 (wéngǎo) for written manuscripts.
The correct pronunciation is gǎo, with a falling-rising tone. Practice saying it in sentences to reinforce the tonal aspect.
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