Chinese Character: 户
1. Character Basics
Radical: 户/hù (door, household) - "Door" radical
Stroke Count: 4 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Hù (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Door; household; family; unit
Extended Meanings: Account; registered resident; customer
Additional Notes: Often used as a measure word for families or households in Chinese.
4. Common Words
- 户口 (hùkǒu): Household registration
他的户口在上海。 (Tā de hùkǒu zài Shànghǎi.)
His household registration is in Shanghai.
- 窗户 (chuānghu): Window
请打开窗户。 (Qǐng dǎkāi chuānghu.)
Please open the window.
- 用户 (yònghù): User, customer
我们有很多用户。 (Wǒmen yǒu hěnduō yònghù.)
We have many users.
- 门户 (ménhù): Gateway, entrance; website portal
这是一个重要的门户。 (Zhè shì yīgè zhòngyào de ménhù.)
This is an important gateway.
- 农户 (nónghù): Farmer's household, rural household
中国有很多农户。 (Zhōngguó yǒu hěnduō nónghù.)
There are many rural households in China.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Noun; measure word
Common Usage: As a noun referring to doors or households; as a measure word for families
Common Structures:
- Number + 户 (as measure word) (e.g., 三户人 sān hù rén - three households)
- 户 + Noun (e.g., 户口 hùkǒu - household registration)
Usage Notes: When used as a measure word, it always follows a number to count households.
6. Cultural Background
Traditional Household System: In Chinese culture, the concept of "户" (household) has deep roots in traditional society.
Household Registration: The "户口" (hukou) system is a unique aspect of Chinese administration that has existed for centuries.
Cultural Symbolism: The character 户 represents the importance of family and home in Chinese culture.
Modern Usage: Beyond its traditional meanings, "户" is now widely used in modern contexts like computer users and website portals.
7. Example Sentence
这个村子有一百多户人家。 (Zhège cūnzi yǒu yībǎi duō hù rénjiā.)
There are more than a hundred households in this village.
请把窗户关上。 (Qǐng bǎ chuānghu guānshàng.)
Please close the window.
这家银行有很多用户。 (Zhè jiā yínháng yǒu hěnduō yònghù.)
This bank has many customers.
8. Memory Tips
Structure Memory: The character 户 looks like a simplified drawing of a door, with a roof and a vertical line representing the door frame.
Sound Association: "Hù" rhymes with "who" in English, but with a fourth (falling) tone.
Vocabulary Grouping: Learn all words containing "户" together, focusing on the common theme of doors or households.
Stroke Order Practice: Remember the 4-stroke order: dot, horizontal fold, vertical, horizontal.
Cultural Connection: Associate the character with the concept of family and home, which are central values in Chinese culture.