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腠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
腠còusubcutaneous tissuen, 13 strokes, radical ⺼
腠còuthe tissue between the skin and the fleshunknown, 13 strokes, radical ⺼
còu(cou4) T4
  1. 1subcutaneous tissue
  2. 2the tissue between the skin and the flesh
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March 24, 2026

腠còu(cou4)

The character 腠 (còu) refers to the subcutaneous tissue, which is the layer of tissue situated between the skin and the underlying flesh. This term is commonly used in medical or anatomical contexts when discussing the body's structure and composition.

Strokes13Radical⺼
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of subcutaneous tissue is significant, as it relates to the understanding of body heat and qi flow. Practitioners often consider the health of this layer when diagnosing and treating ailments.

Memory Tip

Imagine the character 腠 as a protective layer (the 'skin' radical 月) covering the body's inner workings. Think of 'còu' sounding like 'couch' where you lie on top of this soft layer, highlighting the cushioning function of subcutaneous tissue.

Meanings of 腠

còu(cou4)
1subcutaneous tissue
2the tissue between the skin and the flesh
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 腠

腠Simplified
13Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 腠

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AI Study Notes for 腠

Usage Notes

This term is more likely to be used in formal medical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about using it in casual settings, as it may not be understood by a general audience. Additionally, be mindful of the tone, as 'còu' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

Although 腠 is not commonly included in HSK levels, understanding this term can enhance your vocabulary in medical fields. Students should focus on related anatomical terms to build a more comprehensive understanding of bodily functions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 腠 with similar terms like 皮肤 (pífū) for skin or 肌肉 (jīròu) for muscle. For example, saying '肚子的腠' instead of '肚子的皮肤' to refer to the skin on the belly is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 腠

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Etymology of 腠

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

flesh

Semantic (meaning)⺼
+
Phonetic (sound)奏
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

腠 = ⺼ + 奏. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 腠

IDS Structure⿰⺼奏
腠Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
奏zou4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 腠?

How to say subcutaneous tissue in Chinese

“subcutaneous tissue” in Chinese is腠còu

The character 腠 (còu) refers to the subcutaneous tissue, which is the layer of tissue situated between the skin and the underlying flesh. This term is commonly used in medical or anatomical contexts when discussing the body's structure and composition.

When to use 腠

This term is more likely to be used in formal medical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about using it in casual settings, as it may not be understood by a general audience. Additionally, be mindful of the tone, as 'còu' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 腠 with similar terms like 皮肤 (pífū) for skin or 肌肉 (jīròu) for muscle. For example, saying '肚子的腠' instead of '肚子的皮肤' to refer to the skin on the belly is incorrect.

Write 腠

腠

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

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Word Family of 腠

Words Containing This Character1
腠còuthe tissue between the skin and the flesh

Frequently Asked Questions about 腠

腠 specifically refers to the subcutaneous layer, while terms like 肌肉 (jīròu) refer to muscle tissue, and 皮肤 (pífū) means skin.

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