Learn a Chinese Character - 挂

1. Character Basics

Radical: 扌/shǒu (hand), 圭/guī (jade tablet)

Stroke Count: 9

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Guà (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: To hang; to suspend; to put up

Extended Meaning: To register; to call (on phone); to hang up;挂钟 (wall clock);挂号 (register)

4. Common Words

• 挂号 (guà hào) - Register; make an appointment

  我需要去医院挂号看医生。

  I need to go to the hospital to register and see a doctor.

• 挂断 (guà duàn) - Hang up (phone)

  他生气地挂断了电话。

  He hung up the phone angrily.

• 牵挂 (qiān guà) - Worry about; care for

  母亲总是牵挂着远方的孩子。

  Mother always worries about her child who is far away.

• 挂钩 (guà gōu) - Hook; link up with

  这项政策与经济发展挂钩。

  This policy is linked to economic development.

• 悬挂 (xuán guà) - Suspend; hang

  墙上悬挂着一幅美丽的画。

  A beautiful painting is hanging on the wall.

5. Grammar & Usage

As a Verb:

• 挂 + Object: 挂衣服 (hang clothes), 挂电话 (hang up the phone)
• 挂 + Preposition + Place: 把画挂在墙上 (hang the painting on the wall)

Common Structures:

• 被...挂: 电话被挂断了。(The phone was hung up.)
• 挂 + 起来: 把国旗挂起来。(Hang up the national flag.)
• 挂 + 在 + Place: 衣服挂在衣架上。(The clothes are hanging on the hanger.)

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the character "挂" is deeply connected to daily life and social interactions. The act of hanging objects has symbolic meanings - for example, hanging red lanterns during festivals symbolizes joy and celebration, while hanging couplets during the Spring Festival expresses good wishes for the new year.

The concept of "牵挂" (qiān guà, worrying about someone) reflects the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese society. It conveys a sense of care and emotional connection between family members and friends, which is highly valued in Chinese culture.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

• Component Memory: "挂" consists of "扌" (hand) and "圭" (jade tablet). Imagine using your hand to hang a jade tablet, which helps associate the character with its meaning of hanging.
• Sound Association: The pronunciation "guà" rhymes with "画" (huà, painting). You can remember that people often hang paintings on walls.
• Image Association: Visualize common objects that are hung, such as clothes, paintings, or phones (when hung up).
• Common Phrase: Remember the common phrase "挂号" (guà hào, register) to help recall both the character and its pronunciation.