HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
token (for counting)
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
ticket
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
to prepare
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
to plan
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
to raise (funds)
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
resource
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
means
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
筹
chóu
chip, tally, token; to plan; to raise money
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #5259, Very Hard
chóu(chou2) T2
1chip (in gambling)
2token (for counting)
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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#5259DifficultyVery Hard
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
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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.
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.
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
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Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 寿 represents the sound. Simplified form of 籌.
1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
2The sound half寿 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaybamboo
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 筹? 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 筹?
Decomposition of 筹
IDS Structure⿱⺮寿
筹Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
寿Shou4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 筹?
How to say chip (in gambling) in Chinese
“chip (in gambling)” in Chinese is筹chóu
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.
When to use 筹
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).
筹 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 筹
筹
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Practice writing 筹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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)
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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.
