Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
筹(籌)chóu(chou2)
The character 筹 (chóu) primarily refers to tokens or chips used in gambling, but it also encompasses meanings related to planning, preparation, and resource allocation. It is commonly used in contexts where one is organizing or preparing for an event, such as fundraising or strategic planning.
Strokes13Radical⺮Frequency#5259DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of筹 is often associated with strategic planning and resource management, especially in business settings. The importance of careful preparation is a key cultural value, reflecting the traditional emphasis on planning ahead in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gambler holding a stack of chips (筹) while making plans for their next big bet. The character consists of the radical '竹' (bamboo), symbolizing something that can be counted, and '丷' (a form that looks like a hand), suggesting the act of holding or preparing. Together, they form a vivid image of holding chips while preparing for a game.
Meanings of 筹
chóu(chou2)
1chip (in gambling)
2token (for counting)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 筹
筹Simplified
籌Traditional
13Strokes
⺮Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5259Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 筹
Podcast: 筹
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 筹
Quick Contrast
筹 (chóu) vs 备 (bèi) — use 筹 when emphasizing the act of planning or gathering resources, while 备 focuses on the preparation or readiness aspect.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a gambler holding a stack of chips (筹) while making plans for their next big bet. The character consists of the radical '竹' (bamboo), symbolizing something that can be counted, and '丷' (a form that looks like a hand), suggesting the act of holding or preparing. Together, they form a vivid image of holding chips while preparing for a game.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 筹 with similar-sounding characters like 抽 (chōu), which means to draw or extract. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with tone; the second tone should be pronounced clearly. Common collocations include 筹款 (chóu kuǎn - to raise funds) and 筹备 (chóu bèi - to prepare).
HSK Study Tips
Although 筹 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners at higher levels interested in business or social contexts. Students should focus on understanding its various meanings and uses in both gambling and organizational contexts, as well as its common collocations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of筹 is often associated with strategic planning and resource management, especially in business settings. The importance of careful preparation is a key cultural value, reflecting the traditional emphasis on planning ahead in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 筹 with 筹备 (chóu bèi) thinking they mean the same, but 筹 refers more to the resources or means, while 筹备 focuses on the preparation process. For example, saying '我正在筹' (Wǒ zhèngzài chóu) without a context can be unclear; it should be '我正在筹款' (Wǒ zhèngzài chóu kuǎn) for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 筹
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 筹 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 筹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 筹
筹 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 9 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
Complete the Sentence
比赛开始的时候形势大好，斯皮德以一记精彩的进球先拔头____。
It all started so promisingly when Speed scored a tremendous first goal.
Example Sentences for 筹 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
比赛开始的时候形势大好，斯皮德以一记精彩的进球先拔头筹。
bǐ sài kāi shǐ de shí hòu xíng shì dà hǎo， ， sī pí dé yǐ yī jì jīng cǎi de jìn qiú xiān bá tóu。
It all started so promisingly when Speed scored a tremendous first goal.
2
朱利安想出了不少筹款的新办法。
zhū lì ān xiǎng chū le bù shǎo chóu kuǎn de xīn bàn fǎ。
Julian has been thinking up new ways of raising money.
Watercolour still seems somehow to be the poor relation of oil painting.
6
我们应该能够筹集到足够的钱供你买票.
wǒ mén yīng gāi néng gòu chóu jí dào zú gòu de qián gōng nǐ mǎi piào.
We should be able to dig up enough money for your ticket.
7
筹办方必须为那个灾难性的夜晚承担一部分责任。
chóu bàn fāng bì xū wéi nà gè zāi nán xìng de yè wǎn chéng dān yī bù fēn zé rèn。
Some of the blame for the disastrous night must be shouldered by the promoters.
8
摩根建议的筹资方法均未奏效。
mó gēn jiàn yì de chóu zī fāng fǎ jūn wèi zòu xiào。
None of Morgan's proposed financings panned out.
9
他们通过听众捐款的方式筹集了63万美元后宣告结束。
tā mén tōng guò tīng zhòng juān kuǎn de fāng shì chóu jí le63 63 wàn měi yuán hòu xuān gào jié。
They raised $630,000 through listener donations, and then called it quits.
10
仪式是精心筹划的，笼罩着一层神秘的色彩。
yí shì shì jīng xīn chóu huá de， ， lóng zhào zháo yī céng shén mì de sè。
It is an elaborate ceremony, shrouded in mystery.
Cultural Notes for 筹
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of筹 is often associated with strategic planning and resource management, especially in business settings. The importance of careful preparation is a key cultural value, reflecting the traditional emphasis on planning ahead in society.
Word Family of 筹
Words Containing This Character19
筹chóuticket籌
筹码chóumǎbargaining chip籌碼
筹备chóubèipreparations籌備
筹集chóujíto collect money籌集
筹款fundraising籌款
统筹tǒngchóuan overall plan統籌
筹划chóuhuàto plan and prepare籌劃
筹资to raise resources籌資
筹建to prepare to build sth籌建
筹办chóubànto arrange籌辦
筹措chóucuòto raise (money)籌措
一筹莫展yìchóumòzhǎnto be at wits' end一籌莫展
筹委会organizing committee籌委會
运筹帷幄fig. planning strategies運籌帷幄
统筹兼顾tǒngchóujiāngùan overall plan taking into account all factors統籌兼顧
运筹to plan運籌
略胜一筹slightly better略勝一籌
觥筹交错a big (drinking) party觥籌交錯
筹募to raise funds籌募
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 筹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 筹
You can say '我们正在筹款' (Wǒmen zhèngzài chóu kuǎn), meaning 'We are raising funds.'
No, while it can refer to gambling chips, it's also widely used in contexts of planning and preparation.
筹 focuses on the means and resources for planning, while 计划 (jì huà) refers more to the actual plan or schedule.
