unknown, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #27704, Very Hard
gòu(gou4) T4
1dirt, filth, stains; dirty; disgraceful
2disgrace
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March 24, 2026
垢gòu(gou4)
The character 垢 (gòu) refers to dirt, filth, or stains, often used to describe something that is unclean or disgraceful. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to moral stains or disgrace in a personal or social context. This word is commonly encountered in discussions of cleanliness and personal integrity.
Strokes9Radical土Frequency#27704DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and dirt or filth can symbolize moral failings. The concept of 垢 can reflect social attitudes towards purity and disgrace in both physical and moral realms.
Memory Tip
Imagine a muddy goat (sounds like 'gòu') standing in a dirty yard, covered in filth. The visual of the goat covered in mud will help you remember that 垢 means dirt and has a slightly negative connotation.
Meanings of 垢
gòu(gou4)
1dirt, filth, stains; dirty; disgraceful
2disgrace
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 垢
垢Simplified
9Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 垢
Podcast: 垢
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AI Study Notes for 垢
Quick Contrast
污 (wū) - use 垢 (gòu) for physical dirt or stains, while 污 (wū) often implies pollution or contamination.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 垢 (gòu) with other similar-sounding characters like 购 (gòu), which means to buy. 垢 is more commonly used in negative contexts, so it may not be appropriate in formal settings unless discussing a serious issue.
HSK Study Tips
Although 垢 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to the HSK 3 level's focus on everyday vocabulary related to cleanliness and personal care. Students should practice using it in sentences about hygiene or moral discussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 垢 (gòu) with 购 (gòu), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, saying '我想买一些垢' (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīxiē gòu) means 'I want to buy some dirt,' which is incorrect; it should be used in negative contexts only.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 垢
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Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 后 represents the sound.
1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
2The sound half后 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 垢? 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 垢?
Decomposition of 垢
IDS Structure⿰土后
垢Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
后Hou4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 垢?
How to say dirt, filth, stains; dirty; disgraceful in Chinese
“dirt, filth, stains; dirty; disgraceful” in Chinese is垢gòu
The character 垢 (gòu) refers to dirt, filth, or stains, often used to describe something that is unclean or disgraceful. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to moral stains or disgrace in a personal or social context. This word is commonly encountered in discussions of cleanliness and personal integrity.
When to use 垢
Be careful not to confuse 垢 (gòu) with other similar-sounding characters like 购 (gòu), which means to buy. 垢 is more commonly used in negative contexts, so it may not be appropriate in formal settings unless discussing a serious issue.
垢 or something close to it
污 (wū) - use 垢 (gòu) for physical dirt or stains, while 污 (wū) often implies pollution or contamination.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 垢 (gòu) with 购 (gòu), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, saying '我想买一些垢' (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīxiē gòu) means 'I want to buy some dirt,' which is incorrect; it should be used in negative contexts only.
Write 垢
垢
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Practice writing 垢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 垢
垢 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他是1月9号到的，蓬头____面，疲惫不堪。
He arrived on January 9, disheveled and much the worse for wear.
Example Sentences for 垢 (9)
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1
他是1月9号到的，蓬头垢面，疲惫不堪。
tā shì1 19 yuè 9 hào， dào de ， péng， tóu gòu miàn ，。
He arrived on January 9, disheveled and much the worse for wear.
