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楚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
楚Chǔsurname ChuHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚Chǔabbr. for Hubei 湖北省[Hú běi Shěng] and Hunan 湖南省[Hú nán Shěng] provinces togetherHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚ChǔChinese kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (722-221 BC)HSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚ChǔdistinctHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚ChǔclearHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚ChǔorderlyHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚ChǔpainHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚ChǔsufferingHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚Chǔdeciduous bush used in Chinese medicine (genus Vitex)HSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚Chǔpunishment cane (old)HSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚Chǔclear, distinct; pain, suffering; surnameHSK 7, nr, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
楚Chǔabbr. for Hubei 湖北省[Hu2 bei3 Sheng3] and Hunan 湖南省[Hu2 nan2 Sheng3] provinces togetherHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 木, rank #7323, Hard
Chǔ(Chu3) T3
  1. 1abbr. for Hubei 湖北省[Hú běi Shěng] and Hunan 湖南省[Hú nán Shěng] provinces together
  2. 2Chinese kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (722-221 BC)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
楚Chǔ(Chu3)

The character 楚 (Chǔ) primarily refers to a surname and was the name of an ancient Chinese kingdom known for its distinct culture during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. It can also mean clear or distinct, and is associated with pain or suffering in certain contexts, reflecting both historical and emotional nuances.

Strokes13Radical木Frequency#7323DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

楚 is significant in Chinese history as it represents one of the major states during a tumultuous period, influencing culture, politics, and literature. The legacy of the Chu Kingdom is celebrated in Chinese operas and folklore, showcasing its cultural impact.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'clear' path (楚) running through a 'bush' (the radical) where the ancient kingdom of Chu once thrived. Picture a 'suffering' traveler who must navigate this path with care, symbolizing both the clarity of the kingdom's legacy and the pain it endured.

Meanings of 楚

Chǔ(Chu3)
1abbr. for Hubei 湖北省[Hú běi Shěng] and Hunan 湖南省[Hú nán Shěng] provinces together
2Chinese kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (722-221 BC)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 楚

楚Simplified
13Strokes
木Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#7323Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 楚

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Podcast: 楚

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AI Study Notes for 楚

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'clear' path (楚) running through a 'bush' (the radical) where the ancient kingdom of Chu once thrived. Picture a 'suffering' traveler who must navigate this path with care, symbolizing both the clarity of the kingdom's legacy and the pain it endured.

Usage Notes

楚 is often used in historical contexts or when discussing the provinces of Hubei and Hunan. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with other characters that denote clarity or distinctness, as it can lead to misinterpretation. The tone is crucial; ensure you pronounce it with a falling tone (Chǔ) to convey the correct meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 楚 is not included in the standard HSK levels, it connects to common themes in Chinese history and geography, which are often included in higher-level vocabulary. Students should focus on its historical significance and various meanings in different contexts to enhance comprehension.

Cultural Note

楚 is significant in Chinese history as it represents one of the major states during a tumultuous period, influencing culture, politics, and literature. The legacy of the Chu Kingdom is celebrated in Chinese operas and folklore, showcasing its cultural impact.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 楚 with similar-sounding characters (like 出) that have different meanings. For example, saying '出楚' (Chū Chǔ) instead of just '楚' can lead to confusion; remember to use the correct character in context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 楚

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Etymology of 楚

Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 林 represents the meaning and 疋 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "bush". The meaning later shifted to "distinct" and "clear".

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 楚?

Decomposition of 楚

IDS Structure⿱林疋
楚Full Character
=
林Lin2
top
疋pi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 楚?

Write 楚

楚

Practice writing 楚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 楚

楚 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你听清____老师的话了吗？

Did you hear what the teacher said clearly?

Common Confusions with 楚

楚vs初
chū

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "Chinese kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (722-221 BC)"?

or

Usage Notes for 楚

Confusion with Other CharactersCommon Error

Learners often confuse 楚 with similar-sounding characters such as 初 and 短. Ensure to use the appropriate character based on context.

1

我来自楚国。

I come from the Chu state.

2

初春的天气很暖和。

The weather in early spring is very warm.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我来自____国。

I come from the Chu state.

Example Sentences for 楚 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他和我把这个棘手的问题整个儿都讨论清楚了。

tā hé wǒ bǎ zhè gè jí shǒu de wèn tí zhěng gè ér dū tǎo lùn qīng chǔ le。

He and I have talked through this whole tricky problem.
2
提前搞清楚什么规章适用于你的情况。

tí qián gǎo qīng chǔ shí mó guī zhāng shì yòng yú nǐ de qíng kuàng。

Find out ahead of time what regulations apply to your situation.
3
你要清楚他们可能会就这起人身侵犯案毫不留情地盘问你。

nǐ yào qīng chǔ tā mén kě néng huì jiù zhè qǐ rén shēn qīn fàn àn háo bù liú qíng dì pán wèn nǐ。

You know you are liable to be cross-examined mercilessly about the assault.
4
还不清楚船舵是如何断裂的。

huán bù qīng chǔ chuán duò shì rú hé duàn liè de。

It was not yet clear how the rudder had sheared off.
5
我自己的观点非常清楚。我做的事是正确的。

wǒ zì jǐ de guān diǎn fēi cháng qīng chǔ。 。 wǒ zuò de shì shì zhèng què。

My own view is absolutely clear. What I did was right.
6
至今尚不清楚他究竟是饮弹自杀还是被谋杀。

zhì jīn shàng bù qīng chǔ tā jiū jìng shì yǐn dàn zì shā huán shì bèi móu shā。

To this day, it's unclear whether he shot himself or was murdered.
7
老板总喜欢把这类事情搞清楚。

lǎo bǎn zǒng xǐ huān bǎ zhè lèi shì qíng gǎo qīng chǔ。

Bosses have a way of always finding out about such things.
8
还不清楚这起事件是意外还是蓄意所为。

huán bù qīng chǔ zhè qǐ shì jiàn shì yì wài huán shì xù yì suǒ wéi。

It's not clear whether the incident was an accident or deliberate.
9
我们真的不清楚霍滕斯在这中间起什么作用。

wǒ mén zhēn de bù qīng chǔ huò téng sī zài zhè zhōng jiān qǐ shí mó zuò yòng。

We don't really know where Hortense comes into all this.
10
这清楚地表明世界局势是可以改善的。

zhè qīng chǔ dì biǎo míng shì jiè jú shì shì kě yǐ gǎi shàn de。

This tangibly demonstrated that the world situation could be improved.

Cultural Notes for 楚

💡Did you know?

The state of 楚 (Chǔ) was one of the most powerful states during the Warring States Period, known for its cultural advancements and military prowess. Its influence is still seen in modern Chinese culture, especially in literature and poetry.

🏮Cultural insight

楚 is significant in Chinese history as it represents one of the major states during a tumultuous period, influencing culture, politics, and literature. The legacy of the Chu Kingdom is celebrated in Chinese operas and folklore, showcasing its cultural impact.

Word Family of 楚

Compounds7
憷chu4painful; privation, suffering
儊
濋
檚
璴
礎chu3foundation stone, plinth; basis
齼
Words Containing This Character20
清楚qīngchuclear
楚Chǔclear
宋楚瑜James Soong (1942-), Taiwanese politician expelled from Guomindang in 2000 when he founded People First Party 親民黨|亲民党
痛楚pain
一清二楚to be very clear about sth (idiom)
楚国the state of Chu, one of the most important of the small states contending for power in China between 770 and 223 BC, located around present-day Hubei楚國
苦楚suffering
酸楚forlorn
衣冠楚楚immaculately dressed
楚辞Chu Ci, the Songs of Chu (ancient book of poems, collected during Han but esp. from country of Chu c. 500 BC)楚辭
四面楚歌lit. on all sides, the songs of Chu (idiom)
楚楚neat
楚雄Chuxiong county level city, capital of Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[Chǔ​xióng​Yí​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu] in central Yunnan
凄楚sad悽楚
楚州Chuzhou district of Huai'an city 淮安市[Huái​'ān​shì], Jiangsu
巴楚Maralbeshi nahiyisi (Maralbexi county) in Kashgar prefecture 喀什地區|喀什地区[Kā​shí​dì​qū], west Xinjiang
楚雄州abbr. for 楚雄彞族自治州|楚雄彝族自治州[Chǔ​xióng​Yí​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu]
楚怀王King Huai of Chu (reigned 328-299 BC)楚懷王
朝秦暮楚serve Qin in the morning Chu in the evening (idiom); quick to switch sides
楚庄王King Zhuang of Chu (reigned 613-591 BC), one of the Five Hegemons 春秋五霸楚莊王
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 憷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 楚

In traditional Chinese medicine, 楚 (Chǔ) refers to a deciduous bush of the genus Vitex. This plant is used for its therapeutic properties, particularly for treating various ailments such as pain and inflammation. It is often incorporated into herbal remedies and treatments.