HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 骨, rank #2904, Very Hard
骨
gǔ
bone; skeleton; frame, framework
HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 骨, rank #2904, Very Hard
gǔ(gu3) T3
1bone
2bone; skeleton; frame, framework
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March 24, 2026
骨gǔ(gu3)
The character 骨 (gǔ) refers to 'bone' and can also imply the skeletal structure or framework of a body. It is commonly used in contexts relating to anatomy, health, and sometimes metaphorically to denote the essence or foundation of something, such as in idiomatic expressions.
Strokes9Radical骨Frequency#2904DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, bones are believed to be connected to the body's overall health, and specific remedies are often prescribed to strengthen them. This highlights the importance of 骨 in both physical and metaphorical contexts in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'grocery' store where bones are sold, connecting the sound 'gǔ' with 'grocery.' Visualize a skeleton in the store, reminding you that 骨 is all about bones. The character also includes the radical for 'bone' (骨), emphasizing its core meaning.
Meanings of 骨
gǔ(gu3)
1bone
2bone; skeleton; frame, framework
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 骨
骨Simplified
9Strokes
骨Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2904Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 骨
Podcast: 骨
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AI Study Notes for 骨
Quick Contrast
骨 (gǔ) vs 骨头 (gǔ tóu) — use 骨 for a more abstract or general reference to 'bone', while 骨头 specifically refers to 'bone' in a more concrete, physical sense.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 骨 is pronounced with a falling tone (gǔ), which is critical for meaning. Common collocations include 骨头 (gǔ tóu, meaning 'bone') and 骨骼 (gǔ gé, meaning 'skeleton'). In formal contexts, it may be used in medical discussions, while in informal contexts, it could arise in casual conversations about health.
HSK Study Tips
While 骨 is not included in HSK levels, it is relevant for learners at intermediate levels when discussing health or anatomy. Students should focus on memorizing related terms such as 骨头 (bone) and 骨骼 (skeleton) to expand their vocabulary in this thematic area.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 骨 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 口 (kǒu, mouth) or 古 (gǔ, ancient). For example, saying 骨头 (gǔ tóu) with the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
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Pronunciation of 骨
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Pictograph of a bone (冎) with muscle (⺼) attached to it.
1The giveawayFlesh ⺼ and bones 冎
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 骨? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 骨?
Decomposition of 骨
IDS Structure⿵冎⺼
骨Full Character
=
冎gua3
enclosing
⺼rou4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 骨?
How to say bone in Chinese
“bone” in Chinese is骨gǔ
The character 骨 (gǔ) refers to 'bone' and can also imply the skeletal structure or framework of a body. It is commonly used in contexts relating to anatomy, health, and sometimes metaphorically to denote the essence or foundation of something, such as in idiomatic expressions.
When to use 骨
Be cautious with the tone; 骨 is pronounced with a falling tone (gǔ), which is critical for meaning. Common collocations include 骨头 (gǔ tóu, meaning 'bone') and 骨骼 (gǔ gé, meaning 'skeleton'). In formal contexts, it may be used in medical discussions, while in informal contexts, it could arise in casual conversations about health.
骨 or something close to it
骨 (gǔ) vs 骨头 (gǔ tóu) — use 骨 for a more abstract or general reference to 'bone', while 骨头 specifically refers to 'bone' in a more concrete, physical sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 骨 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 口 (kǒu, mouth) or 古 (gǔ, ancient). For example, saying 骨头 (gǔ tóu) with the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 骨
骨
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Practice writing 骨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 骨
骨 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.
The skeleton consists of differently shaped bones held together by ligaments.
6
留下了20名骨干人员。
liú xià le20 20 míng gǔ gān rén。
A skeleton staff of 20 is being kept on.
7
突然，我骨碌碌地滚下坡，完全晕头转向了。
tū rán， ， wǒ gǔ lù lù dì gǔn xià， pō ， wán quán yùn tóu zhuǎn。
Suddenly I was cartwheeling down the slope, all orientation gone.
8
一群骨干右翼参议员曾企图左右自己的同僚。
yī qún gǔ gān yòu yì cān yì yuán zēng qǐ tú zuǒ yòu zì jǐ de tóng liáo。
A hard-core group of right-wing senators had hoped to sway their colleagues.
9
他的头骨做过大面积的矫形手术。
tā de tóu gǔ zuò guò dà miàn jī de jiǎo xíng shǒu shù。
He has received extensive corrective surgery to his skull.
10
他的头部受重击之后下颌骨折了。
tā de tóu bù shòu zhòng jī zhī hòu xià hé gǔ zhē le。
His jaw was broken after he was hit on the head.
Word Family of 骨
Compounds64
滑Hua2surname Hua
猾hua2sly
髓sui3substance, essence; bone marrow
骸hai2skeleton, body; leg bone
髅lou2skull, skeleton
骷ku1skeleton
骰tou2die, dice
骼ge2bone, skeleton; corpse
髋kuan1hip, pelvis
髂qia4pelvis, hip bone
骶di3coccyx, sacrum
髒zang4organs, viscera; dirty, filthy
髁ke1thigh bone, hip bone, kneecap
髌bin4kneecap
髈
骻
體ti3body; group, class; form, style, system
髑du2skull
骯ang1dirty, filthy
搰
榾
蓇
骫
骭
骱jie4skeletal joint
骴
骺hou2epiphysis; the tip of a long bone
骾
髀bi4buttocks, thigh; thigh bone
髄
髆
髇
鹘gu3a kind of pigeon; treron permagna
傦
嗗
尳
愲
磆
縎
螖
顝
餶
馉
骩
骪
骬
骮
骲
骳
骵
骹
骽
骿
髃
髉
髊
髍
髎
髏
髐
髕bin4kneecap
髖kuan1hip, pelvis
髗
鶻gu3a kind of pigeon; treron permagna
Words Containing This Character20
骨gǔbone
骨头gǔtoubone骨頭
骨折gǔzhéfracture
骨干gǔgànfig. backbone骨幹
骨髓bone marrow (medulla ossea)
头骨skull頭骨
肋骨rib
骨灰bone ash
排骨pork chop
骨骼bones
骨架framework
骨子里beneath the surface骨子裡
软骨cartilage軟骨
锁骨collarbone鎖骨
尸骨skeleton of the dead屍骨
刻骨铭心unforgettable刻骨銘心
骨科orthopedics
骨肉kin
胸骨sternum
脱胎换骨to turn over a new leaf脫胎換骨
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 滑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 骨
Yes, 骨 (gǔ) appears in idioms such as '骨肉相连' (gǔ ròu xiāng lián), which means 'blood is thicker than water' or 'close-knit family.' This expression emphasizes familial ties and connections.
Common phrases that include 骨 (gǔ) are 骨骼 (gǔgé), meaning 'skeleton,' and 骨髓 (gǔsuǐ), meaning 'bone marrow.' These phrases are often used in discussions about anatomy or health.
You can use 骨 (gǔ) in sentences like '他的骨头很坚硬' (tā de gǔ tóu hěn jiān yìng), which means 'His bones are very strong.' It's commonly used in both everyday conversations and medical contexts.
骨 (gǔ) means 'bone' in Chinese. It can refer to actual bones in the body or be used in a metaphorical sense to describe structure or framework. In traditional Chinese medicine, bones are often associated with health and vitality.
骨 (gǔ) is a general term for 'bone,' while 骨头 (gǔ tóu) specifically refers to 'bone' in a more informal or colloquial manner.
Yes, 骨 is often used in idiomatic expressions, such as 骨灰级 (gǔ huī jí), which refers to an expert or veteran in a particular field, literally meaning 'bone ash level.'
You can connect the pronunciation 'gǔ' with 'grocery' to visualize bones sold in a store, helping you remember both the sound and meaning.
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