1. Character Basics
2. Pronunciation
3. Meaning
- Withered, dried up
- Dead (of plants)
- Dry, lacking moisture
- Exhausted, depleted
4. Common Words
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "枯" is most commonly used as an adjective to describe plants or objects that have lost moisture or vitality. It can also be used to describe abstract concepts like emotions or situations that lack energy or interest.
花园里的花因为缺水而枯萎了。(Huāyuán lǐ de huā yīnwèi quēshuǐ ér kūwěi le.) - The flowers in the garden withered due to lack of water.
这个讲座很枯燥，我差点睡着了。(Zhège jiǎngzuò hěn kūzào, wǒ chàdiǎn shuìzháo le.) - This lecture is very boring, I almost fell asleep.
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the concept of "枯" (withered) often appears in poetry and art, symbolizing the cycle of life and nature. For example, "枯木逢春" (kū mù féng chūn) means "a withered tree meets spring" and is used to describe a situation where something that seemed dead or hopeless is revitalized.
The character is also associated with philosophical ideas about impermanence and the natural order of things in both Confucianism and Taoism.
7. Example Sentence
由于长期干旱，河里的水已经干枯了，只剩下一些枯树。
Due to the long drought, the water in the river has dried up, leaving only some withered trees.
8. Memory Tips
To remember the character "枯", note that it consists of "木" (mù, tree/wood) and "古" (gǔ, ancient/old). Imagine an old tree that has dried up and withered - that's the essence of "枯". The pronunciation "kū" rhymes with the English word "coo" but with a flat tone.
You can also associate it with common phrases like "枯萎" (kūwěi) to help remember its meaning and usage.