Learn a Chinese Character - 括

1. Character Basics

Radical: 扌 (shǒu, hand/action)

Stroke Count: 9

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: kuò

3. Meaning

To draw together; to include; to wrap around; to enclose

4. Common Words

• 包括 (bāo kuò) - to include, to consist of
• 括号 (kuò hào) - parentheses, brackets
• 概括 (gài kuò) - to summarize, to generalize
• 总括 (zǒng kuò) - to sum up, to include all
• 囊括 (náng kuò) - to include entirely, to contain
• 括约肌 (kuò yuē jī) - sphincter (anatomy)

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "括" is primarily used as a verb meaning "to include" or "to wrap around". It is often found in compound words and has some specific grammatical patterns:

• 括 + 住: For example, "括住" (to wrap around, to hold in)
• 被 + 括 + 在 + 某处: For example, "所有信息都被括在括号里" (All information is enclosed in parentheses)
• 名 + 括: When used in certain compounds like "括号" (brackets)

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the concept of "括" (including, enclosing) has been important in various contexts. Traditional Chinese writing uses different types of brackets for different purposes, which reflects the language's precision and attention to detail.

The idea of "包括" (inclusion) is also reflected in Chinese philosophy, where holism and interconnectedness are valued. In everyday life, terms like "包括一切" (including everything) demonstrate a comprehensive approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "括" consists of the radical "扌" (hand) on the left and "舌" (tongue) on the right. You can remember it by imagining using your hand to wrap around or include something, similar to how you might wrap your tongue around words when speaking.

Another way to remember: the pronunciation "kuò" sounds similar to "括住" (to wrap around), which helps reinforce the meaning. You can also link it to the English word "include" since both relate to the concept of containing things within a boundary.