Learn a Chinese Character - 勾

1. Character Basics

Radical: 勹 (bāo, wrap/enclose, indicates related to curved or hook-like shapes)

Stroke Count: 4

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Gōu (First tone) or Gòu (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Core Meaning: To hook; to bend; to draw; to tick (a box); to cancel; to connect; to implicate

The character "勾" primarily conveys the idea of something curved, hooked, or connecting. It can describe physical actions like hooking or bending, as well as abstract concepts like connecting ideas or implicating someone in a matter.

4. Common Words

• 勾画 (gōu huà) - To sketch; to outline

  他用简单的几笔勾画出了美丽的风景。
  He sketched a beautiful landscape with a few simple strokes.

• 勾结 (gōu jié) - To collude; to conspire

  他们互相勾结，做了许多违法的事情。
  They colluded with each other and did many illegal things.

• 勾销 (gōu xiāo) - To cancel; to write off

  银行同意勾销他的部分债务。
  The bank agreed to write off part of his debt.

• 勾心斗角 (gōu xīn dòu jiǎo) - To intrigue against each other; to scheme

  办公室里总有一些人勾心斗角，争夺权力。
  There are always some people scheming against each other for power in the office.

• 勾引 (gōu yǐn) - To seduce; to entice

  不要被不良的诱惑所勾引。
  Don't be enticed by bad temptations.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Mainly used as a verb, but can also function as a noun or adjective

Usage Patterns:

• As a verb: Can take objects to indicate the action of hooking, drawing, or connecting

  勾住绳子 (gōu zhù shéng zi) - To hook onto the rope

• Inseparable verb compounds: Often forms two-character verbs with specific meanings

  勾勒 (gōu lè) - To outline; to sketch

• Common collocations:
  • 勾肩搭背 (gōu jiān dā bèi) - To have arms around each other's shoulders (showing intimacy)
  • 一笔勾销 (yī bǐ gōu xiāo) - To cancel with a stroke of the pen
  • 勾三搭四 (gōu sān dā sì) - To flirt around with multiple people
  • 勾股定理 (gōu gǔ dìng lǐ) - Pythagorean theorem

6. Cultural Background

The character "勾" has various cultural connotations in Chinese society and history:

• Art and calligraphy: The hook stroke (勾画 gōu huà) is an important element in Chinese calligraphy and painting, representing the dynamic flow of energy.
• Traditional beliefs: In some traditional Chinese beliefs, certain curved or hooked shapes were thought to ward off evil spirits.
• Social interactions: Idioms like "勾心斗角" (gōu xīn dòu jiǎo) reflect the complex social dynamics and power struggles in traditional Chinese society.
• Mathematical significance: "勾股定理" (gōu gǔ dìng lǐ, Pythagorean theorem) demonstrates the early development of mathematics in Chinese culture.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

How to remember "勾" (gōu/gòu):

1. Shape association: The character itself looks like a hook or a curved line, which directly relates to its meaning of "to hook" or "to bend."
2. Component breakdown: It consists of 勹 (bāo, wrap) and a vertical hook. Imagine something curved or wrapped with a hook at the end.
3. Mnemonic phrase: "钩子弯弯勾东西" (gōu zi wān wān gōu dōng xī) - "A hook is curved to hook things." This phrase connects the shape and function.
4. Related images: Visualize common hooked objects like a fishhook, a coat hanger, or a curved line in a drawing to reinforce the meaning.