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锄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锄chúhoe; to eradicate, to weed outHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35310, Very Hard
锄chúa hoeHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35310, Very Hard
锄chúto hoe or digHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35310, Very Hard
锄chúto weedHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35310, Very Hard
锄chúto get rid ofHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 钅, rank #35310, Very Hard
chú(chu2)chu T2
  1. 1hoe; to eradicate, to weed out
  2. 2a hoe
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March 24, 2026

锄(鋤)chú(chu2)

The character 锄 (chú) primarily refers to a hoe, a tool used for digging and weeding in agriculture. It can also mean to eradicate or weed out something undesirable, often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. This word is commonly used in discussions about gardening, agriculture, and even in social or political contexts when talking about removing issues or problems.

Strokes12Radical钅Frequency#35310DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, agriculture has been a cornerstone of society, and tools like the hoe (锄) symbolize the hard work of farmers. The importance of farming tools is reflected in Chinese proverbs and idioms that emphasize diligence and the value of labor.

Memory tip

Imagine a farmer using a hoe (锄) in the field, tirelessly digging up weeds. The shape of the character resembles a tool, with the top part representing the handle and the bottom part the blade. Visualize the action of 'chopping' away the unwanted plants, which helps you remember the pronunciation 'chú'.

Meanings of 锄

chú(chu2)
1hoe; to eradicate, to weed out
2a hoe
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 锄 means.

About 锄

锄Simplified
鋤Traditional
12Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 锄

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Podcast: 锄

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AI study notes for 锄

Quick Contrast

锄 (hoe) vs 挖 (wā, to dig) — use 锄 when referring specifically to weeding or eradicating undesirable plants, while 挖 is more general for digging.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 锄 with similar words like 拖 (tuō) which means to drag or pull. 锄 is more specific to the act of weeding or digging, while 拖 is more general. It's important to use 锄 in contexts related to gardening or removing unwanted elements, and be mindful of the tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 锄 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other agricultural terms like 种 (zhòng, to plant) and 收 (shōu, to harvest). Focus on its applications in farming-related discussions and practice using it in sentences about gardening.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 锄 in contexts unrelated to weeding or digging, like saying '我锄去商店' (I hoe to the store) instead of '我去商店' (I go to the store). Ensure you reserve 锄 for agricultural or metaphorical contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锄

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Etymology of 锄

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A metal 钅 tool 助; 助 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 锄?

Decomposition of 锄

IDS Structure⿰钅助
锄Full character
=
钅jin1
left
助zhu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 锄?

How to say hoe; to eradicate, to weed out in Chinese

“hoe; to eradicate, to weed out” in Chinese is锄chú

The character 锄 (chú) primarily refers to a hoe, a tool used for digging and weeding in agriculture. It can also mean to eradicate or weed out something undesirable, often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. This word is commonly used in discussions about gardening, agriculture, and even in social or political contexts when talking about removing issues or problems.

When to use 锄

Learners often confuse 锄 with similar words like 拖 (tuō) which means to drag or pull. 锄 is more specific to the act of weeding or digging, while 拖 is more general. It's important to use 锄 in contexts related to gardening or removing unwanted elements, and be mindful of the tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

锄 or something close to it

锄 (hoe) vs 挖 (wā, to dig) — use 锄 when referring specifically to weeding or eradicating undesirable plants, while 挖 is more general for digging.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 锄 in contexts unrelated to weeding or digging, like saying '我锄去商店' (I hoe to the store) instead of '我去商店' (I go to the store). Ensure you reserve 锄 for agricultural or metaphorical contexts.

Write 锄

锄

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

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Grammar patterns of 锄

锄 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 5 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 2

Fill the gap

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

他在用刀削树枝做一把____头柄.

He is whittling down the branch with a knife to make a handle for his hoe.

Example sentences for 锄 (2)

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1
他在用刀削树枝做一把锄头柄.

tā zài yòng dāo xiāo shùzhī zuò yī bǎ chú tóu bǐng.

He is whittling down the branch with a knife to make a handle for his hoe.
2
我看到小扬扛着两把锄头从旁走过.

wǒ kàndào xiǎo yáng gāng zhe liǎng bǎ chú tóu cóng páng zǒuguò.

I saw Xiao Yang walking by , shouldering two hoes.

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Word Family of 锄

Words containing this character8
锄头hoe鋤頭
锄chúa hoe鋤
锄草to hoe鋤草
锄地to hoe鋤地
锄奸to weed out the traitors鋤奸
锄强扶弱to root out the strong and support the weak (idiom); to rob the rich and give to the poor鋤強扶弱
诛锄to uproot誅鋤
诛锄异己to wipe out dissenters誅鋤異己
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 锄

What does 锄头 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 锄

锄 (chú) specifically refers to hoeing or weeding, while 拖 (tuō) refers to dragging or pulling something. They are used in different contexts.

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