Meanings of 坷
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About 坷
Podcast: 坷
Podcast: 坷
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AI Study Notes for 坷
坎 (kǎn) - use 坷 (kě) for uneven terrain or rough paths, while 坎 (kǎn) often refers to a pit or depression in the ground.
The term 坷 is often used in informal contexts to describe physical surfaces. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; context is crucial for clarity. Common collocations include 坷土 (bumpy soil) and 坷路 (bumpy road).
Although 坷 is not part of the formal HSK vocabulary, it can enhance your understanding of descriptive terms related to geography. Focus on its usage in everyday conversations about nature and physical environments to solidify your grasp.
Learners often confuse 坷 with similar characters like 坍 (tān), which means to collapse. For instance, saying 坷了 (kě le) to mean 'collapsed' is incorrect; use 坍了 instead.
Pronunciation of 坷
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Etymology of 坷
Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 可 represents the sound.
earth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 坷
Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 可 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half可 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayearth
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 坷? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 坷?
Decomposition of 坷
Identify the Components
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How to say uneven, bumpy; a clod of earth; a lump of soil in Chinese
“uneven, bumpy; a clod of earth; a lump of soil” in Chinese is坷
The character 坷 (kě) refers to something that is uneven or bumpy, often used to describe rough terrain or paths. It can also denote a clod of earth or a lump of soil, and in a more figurative sense, it may refer to unfortunate circumstances in life.
When to use 坷
The term 坷 is often used in informal contexts to describe physical surfaces. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; context is crucial for clarity. Common collocations include 坷土 (bumpy soil) and 坷路 (bumpy road).
坷 or something close to it
坎 (kǎn) - use 坷 (kě) for uneven terrain or rough paths, while 坎 (kǎn) often refers to a pit or depression in the ground.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 坷 with similar characters like 坍 (tān), which means to collapse. For instance, saying 坷了 (kě le) to mean 'collapsed' is incorrect; use 坍了 instead.
Write 坷
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Practice writing 坷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 坷
坷 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 3 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.
Complete the Sentence
他一直是她曲折坎____的生活中的主心骨。
He had been a rock in the shifting sands of her existence.
Example Sentences for 坷 (2)
Word Family of 坷
Compound Meaning
What does 坎坷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 坷
You can use 不平 (bù píng) which means uneven or rough, as a synonym in contexts describing terrain.
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