Meanings of 锄
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About 锄
Podcast: 锄
Podcast: 锄
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AI Study Notes for 锄
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 锄
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Etymology of 锄
A metal 钅 tool 助; 助 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 锄
- 1The giveawayA metal 钅 tool 助; 助 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 锄? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 锄?
Decomposition of 锄
Identify the Components
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How to say hoe; to eradicate, to weed out in Chinese
“hoe; to eradicate, to weed out” in Chinese is锄
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
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Practice writing 锄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Complete the Sentence
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)
Word Family of 锄
Compound Meaning
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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