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March 24, 2026
故gù(gu4)
The character 故 (gù) primarily refers to a reason or cause for an event or situation. It is often used in contexts where one explains the rationale behind actions or occurrences, making it common in both formal and informal discussions.
Strokes9Radical攵Frequency#9937DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The use of 故 in historical texts, such as in phrases like 故宫 (Gùgōng, the Forbidden City), highlights its connection to China's rich history and cultural heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise old friend (the 'former' meaning) explaining the reason behind a past event. Picture them pointing to an ancient scroll (the character's form) that reveals the 'cause' of a historical happening.
Meanings of 故
gù(gu4)
1happening
2instance
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 故
故Simplified
9Strokes
攵Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#9937Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 故
Podcast: 故
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AI Study Notes for 故
Quick Contrast
故 (gù) vs 理 (lǐ) — use 故 when emphasizing the cause or reason behind something, while 理 focuses more on the principle or rationale.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise old friend (the 'former' meaning) explaining the reason behind a past event. Picture them pointing to an ancient scroll (the character's form) that reveals the 'cause' of a historical happening.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 故 with similar characters like 故事 (gùshì, story) or using it inappropriately in casual conversations. It tends to appear in more formal contexts, so be mindful of the register when using it.
HSK Study Tips
While 故 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to other HSK words like 原因 (yuányīn, reason) and 事情 (shìqíng, matter/event). Focus on its use in forming compound words and phrases.
Cultural Note
The use of 故 in historical texts, such as in phrases like 故宫 (Gùgōng, the Forbidden City), highlights its connection to China's rich history and cultural heritage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 故 with its homophones like 古 (gǔ, ancient) and mistakenly use it in phrases unrelated to reason. For example, saying '故老' when they mean '古老' (meaning ancient) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 故
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Grammar Patterns of 故
故 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 11 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.
The themes get tangled in Mr. Mahfouz's epic storytelling.
Cultural Notes for 故
💡Did you know?
The character 故 is an essential part of many idioms and phrases in Chinese, often relating to history and tradition, reflecting the value placed on the past in Chinese culture.
🏮Cultural insight
The use of 故 in historical texts, such as in phrases like 故宫 (Gùgōng, the Forbidden City), highlights its connection to China's rich history and cultural heritage.
📜Proverb
The saying '故人相聚' means 'old friends reunite', highlighting the importance of maintaining relationships with those from our past.
Word Family of 故
Compounds1
做zuo4to do
Words Containing This Character20
故事gùshinarrative
事故shìgùaccident
故意gùyìdeliberately
故gùhappening
故障gùzhàngmalfunction
缘故yuángùreason緣故
故乡gùxiānghome故鄉
无缘无故no cause, no reason (idiom); completely uncalled for無緣無故
已故the late
故宫the Forbidden City故宮
无故wúgùwithout cause or reason無故
变故biàngùaccident變故
世故shìgùsophisticated
何故what for?
故而therefore
典故classical story or quote from the literature
故人old friend
故里hometown
故此therefore
故居former residence
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 做 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 故
While 故 (gù) can mean 'cause' or 'reason', 原因 (yuányīn) specifically refers to 'reason' in a more causal sense. 故 may also imply a more intentional or historical context, whereas 原因 is often used in scientific or logical discussions. Understanding the context will help you decide which term to use.
Yes, 故 (gù) is still used in modern Chinese, particularly in formal writing and literature. It may appear in idiomatic expressions or historical contexts. It's important to understand its usage to appreciate more complex texts and conversations.
故 (gù) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'reason', 'cause', and 'former'. It can also refer to something that is intentional or an instance of something. This character is often used in phrases like '故意' (gùyì), which means 'intentionally'.
To use 故 (gù) in a sentence, you can combine it with other characters to form phrases. For example, '故乡' (gùxiāng) means 'hometown', referring to a person's former place of residence. Another example is '故障' (gùzhàng), which means 'malfunction', indicating a cause of failure.
Yes, but it is more commonly found in formal contexts, so use it carefully in casual speech.
Yes, it can also mean 'former' or 'old', depending on the context.
