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圪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
圪gē(phonetic)unknown, 6 strokes, radical 土
gē(ge1) T1
  1. 1(phonetic)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

圪gē(ge1)

The character 圪 (gē) is primarily used as a phonetic character in Chinese, often found in various dialects and specific regional usages. It does not have a widely recognized meaning in Standard Mandarin but can represent sounds in certain contexts. In some dialects, it may refer to a small mound or a specific type of earth clod.

Strokes6Radical土
Cultural Note

In some Chinese regions, the use of characters like 圪 reflects local dialects and cultural expressions. These phonetic characters often carry unique meanings that showcase the diversity of Chinese language and culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small mound of earth (like 圪), which looks like a person (亻) standing on top of a hill (土). The pronunciation 'gē' sounds like 'gather,' as if people are gathering on a small hill.

Meanings of 圪

gē(ge1)
1(phonetic)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 圪

圪Simplified
6Strokes
土Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 圪

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Podcast: 圪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 圪

Usage Notes

Since 圪 is not commonly used in Standard Mandarin, it may confuse learners if used in formal contexts. It is more prevalent in regional dialects, so be cautious about its appropriateness in conversation. Learners should focus on the context in which they encounter this character.

HSK Study Tips

Although 圪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be beneficial for learners to be aware of phonetic characters. Understanding such characters may enhance listening skills and recognition in various dialects, connecting with other phonetic characters they may learn.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 圪 with other similar-looking characters. For example, using 圪 instead of 夹 (jiā) meaning 'to clamp' is a common error. Remember that 圪 is primarily phonetic and not used in standard vocabulary.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 圪

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Etymology of 圪

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)乞
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 圪

  1. 1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half乞 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayearth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 圪? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 圪?

Decomposition of 圪

IDS Structure⿰土乞
圪Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
乞qi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 圪?

How to say (phonetic) in Chinese

“(phonetic)” in Chinese is圪gē

The character 圪 (gē) is primarily used as a phonetic character in Chinese, often found in various dialects and specific regional usages. It does not have a widely recognized meaning in Standard Mandarin but can represent sounds in certain contexts. In some dialects, it may refer to a small mound or a specific type of earth clod.

When to use 圪

Since 圪 is not commonly used in Standard Mandarin, it may confuse learners if used in formal contexts. It is more prevalent in regional dialects, so be cautious about its appropriateness in conversation. Learners should focus on the context in which they encounter this character.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 圪 with other similar-looking characters. For example, using 圪 instead of 夹 (jiā) meaning 'to clamp' is a common error. Remember that 圪 is primarily phonetic and not used in standard vocabulary.

Write 圪

圪

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 圪

Words Containing This Character1
圪gē(phonetic)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 圪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 圪

It is primarily a phonetic character without a widely accepted meaning in Standard Mandarin, often found in dialects.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 圪?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.