Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
斧fǔ(fu3)
The character 斧 (fǔ) refers to an axe or hatchet, commonly utilized for chopping wood or other materials. In a broader context, it can also imply the action of chopping or hewing, making it relevant in discussions about woodworking or carpentry.
Strokes8Radical斤Frequency#13186DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the axe is often associated with traditional woodworking crafts, which have been essential for rural life. The skill of using an axe effectively is respected and linked to self-sufficiency in rural communities.
Memory Tip
Imagine an axe (斧) chopping down a tree. The left side of the character, the radical 'knife' (刀), suggests cutting, while the right side resembles a tree being hewn down. Visualize the sound 'fǔ' as the sound of the axe hitting the wood.
Meanings of 斧
fǔ(fu3)
1axe, hatchet; to chop, to hew
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 斧 means.
About 斧
斧Simplified
8Strokes
斤Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 斧
Podcast: 斧
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 斧
Quick Contrast
锤 (chuí) - choose 斧 (fǔ) when referring specifically to an axe, while 锤 (chuí) refers to a hammer.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the tone when using 斧, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It is typically used in informal contexts when discussing tools or activities related to chopping. Common collocations include 斧头 (fǔtóu - axe head) and 砍斧 (kǎnfǔ - to chop with an axe).
HSK Study Tips
While 斧 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other HSK words related to tools and actions. Students should focus on the context of labor and craftsmanship when learning this character. Understanding related terms can enhance vocabulary in practical situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 斧 with similar characters like 刀 (knife) due to their visual similarity. It's important to remember that 斧 is specifically for chopping, while 刀 is for slicing. For example, saying '我用刀砍树' (I use a knife to chop the tree) is incorrect; the correct term is '我用斧砍树' (I use an axe to chop the tree).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 斧
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 斧 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 斧 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Etymology of 斧
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 斤 represents the meaning and 父 represents the sound.
斧 = 斤 + 父. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 斧
IDS Structure⿱父斤
斧Full Character
=
父fu4
top
斤jin1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 斧?
How to say axe, hatchet; to chop, to hew in Chinese
“axe, hatchet; to chop, to hew” in Chinese is斧fǔ
The character 斧 (fǔ) refers to an axe or hatchet, commonly utilized for chopping wood or other materials. In a broader context, it can also imply the action of chopping or hewing, making it relevant in discussions about woodworking or carpentry.
When to use 斧
Be cautious of the tone when using 斧, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It is typically used in informal contexts when discussing tools or activities related to chopping. Common collocations include 斧头 (fǔtóu - axe head) and 砍斧 (kǎnfǔ - to chop with an axe).
斧 or something close to it
锤 (chuí) - choose 斧 (fǔ) when referring specifically to an axe, while 锤 (chuí) refers to a hammer.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 斧 with similar characters like 刀 (knife) due to their visual similarity. It's important to remember that 斧 is specifically for chopping, while 刀 is for slicing. For example, saying '我用刀砍树' (I use a knife to chop the tree) is incorrect; the correct term is '我用斧砍树' (I use an axe to chop the tree).
Write 斧
斧
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 斧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 斧
斧 carries one core meaning. 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
然后那个伐木工脱手甩出了____头。哐！每个人都听见了。
Then the woodcutter let his axe fly— Thwack! Everyone heard it.
Example Sentences for 斧 (9)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
然后那个伐木工脱手甩出了斧头。哐！每个人都听见了。
rán hòu nà gè fá mù gōng tuō shǒu shuǎi chū le fǔ tóu。 。！ kuāng ！ měi gè rén dū tīng。
Then the woodcutter let his axe fly— Thwack! Everyone heard it.
2
他一斧子就砍掉了那根树枝.
tā yī fǔ zǐ jiù kǎn diào le nà gēn shù zhī.
He struck off the branch with a single chop of the ax.
3
他十几斧头就把树砍倒了.
tā shí jī fǔ tóu jiù bǎ shù kǎn dǎo le.
He fell the tree with a dozen blows of his axe.
4
那个砍柴者举斧砍树.
nà gè kǎn chái zhě jǔ fǔ kǎn shù.
The woodcutter laid his axe to the tree.
5
斧劈两半一命休,七个只剩六.
fǔ pī liǎng bàn yī mìng xiū, , qī gè zhī shèng.
One chopped himself into halves and then there were six.
