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March 24, 2026
粗糙cūcāo(cu1cao1)
粗糙 (cūcāo) describes something that is rough in texture or appearance, often implying a lack of refinement or smoothness. It can be used to describe physical objects, like a coarse fabric or rough surface, as well as abstract concepts, such as a gruff demeanor or crude behavior.
Frequency#9617DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese craftsmanship, the term 粗糙 can reflect a traditional emphasis on handmade goods, where rough edges might signify authenticity, contrasting with modern, mass-produced items that are often perfectly smooth.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rough piece of sandpaper that feels粗 (cū) against your fingertips, reminding you of its糙 (cāo) texture. The '粗' part looks like a rough mountain, while '糙' can be visualized as a tangled mess, reinforcing the idea of something not smooth or polished.
Meanings of 粗糙
cūcāo(cu1cao1)
1crude
2gruff
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About 粗糙
粗糙Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#9617Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 粗糙
Podcast: 粗糙
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AI Study Notes for 粗糙
Quick Contrast
粗糙 (cūcāo) vs 粗鲁 (cūlǔ) — use 粗糙 for rough texture, while 粗鲁 refers specifically to rude behavior.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a rough piece of sandpaper that feels粗 (cū) against your fingertips, reminding you of its糙 (cāo) texture. The '粗' part looks like a rough mountain, while '糙' can be visualized as a tangled mess, reinforcing the idea of something not smooth or polished.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include mispronouncing the tones, as both are crucial for conveying the word's meaning. It's used in both informal and formal contexts but is often seen in descriptions of materials and behaviors. Collocations include phrases like '粗糙的表面' (rough surface) or '粗糙的态度' (gruff attitude).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 粗糙 connects to other descriptive adjectives like 光滑 (smooth) or 精致 (exquisite). Students should focus on recognizing contrasts in texture and behavior when using this word, which is essential for more nuanced descriptions in conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese craftsmanship, the term 粗糙 can reflect a traditional emphasis on handmade goods, where rough edges might signify authenticity, contrasting with modern, mass-produced items that are often perfectly smooth.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 粗糙 with 光滑, using it incorrectly to describe something that is smooth. For example, saying '这个布料很粗糙' (This fabric is very smooth) is incorrect; it should be '这个布料很光滑'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 粗糙
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Grammar Patterns of 粗糙
粗糙 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 4 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.
My cuticles were split and ragged, and my nails unevenly bitten.
2
她在他粗糙的面颊上左右各吻了一下。
tā zài tā cū cāo de miàn jiá shàng zuǒ yòu gè wěn le yī xià。
She planted a kiss on each of his leathery cheeks.
3
在粗糙不平的水泥窗台上有一条细细的发光水印。
zài cū cāo bù píng de shuǐ ní chuāng tái shàng yǒu yī tiáo xì xì de fā guāng shuǐ yìn。
A thin, glistening thread of moisture ran along the rough concrete sill.
4
我的皮肤又硬又粗糙，而且还很痒。
wǒ de pí fū yòu yìng yòu cū cāo， ， ér qiě huán hěn。
My skin was hard and scaly and I itched.
5
有些地方很少有地图，而且通常绘制得都很粗糙。
yǒu xiē dì fāng hěn shǎo yǒu dì tú， ， ér qiě tōng cháng huì zhì dé dū hěn cū。
In some places maps are scarce, and are often crudely produced.
6
老园丁有一双粗糙的手.
lǎo yuán dīng yǒu yī shuāng cū cāo de shǒu.
The old gardener had horny hands.
7
达菲粗糙的吉他演奏技巧远不够水平。
dá fēi cū cāo de jí tā yǎn zòu jì qiǎo yuǎn bù gòu shuǐ píng。
Duffy's primitive guitar playing is well below par.
8
晒后皮肤会变厚、变干、变粗糙。
shài hòu pí fū huì biàn hòu、 、 biàn、 gān 、 biàn。
Skin thickens, dries and coarsens after sun exposure.
9
最初粗糙地刻在墓碑上的骷髅与 交叉 的大腿骨图形,已为带翅膀的天使所代替.
zuì chū cū cāo dì kè zài mù bēi shàng de kū lóu yǔ jiāo chā de dà tuǐ gǔ, tú xíng , yǐ wéi dài chì bǎng de tiān shǐ.
The skull - and - crossbones crudely carved on the first tombstones was replaced by a winged cherub.
10
它的碗具粗糙,空气混浊, 汤菜淡如水,餐巾薄如绢.
tā de wǎn jù cū cāo, , kōng qì hùn, zhuó , tāng cài dàn, rú shuǐ , cān jīn.
Its crockery and atmosphere were thick; its soup and napery thin.
Cultural Notes for 粗糙
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese craftsmanship, the term 粗糙 can reflect a traditional emphasis on handmade goods, where rough edges might signify authenticity, contrasting with modern, mass-produced items that are often perfectly smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions about 粗糙
Yes, it can describe someone as having a gruff or unrefined demeanor.
It can be used in formal writing when describing materials or behaviors, but be mindful of the context.
The opposite is 光滑 (guānghuá), which means smooth.
