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March 24, 2026
坑kēng(keng1)
The character 坑 (kēng) refers to a hole or pit dug in the ground, often for the purpose of mining or construction. It can also describe a situation where someone is trapped or defrauded, emphasizing the concept of being caught in a difficult circumstance. This word is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes7Radical土Frequency#5222DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the term 坑 is often associated with ancient mining practices and the traps set in battles or conflicts, reflecting a long-standing awareness of both physical and metaphorical 'pits' in life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'k' (for kēng) shaped hole in the ground where someone fell in. The '坑' looks like a pit, and the top part resembles a person being trapped. Visualize the sound 'kēng' echoing in the pit as they call for help.
Meanings of 坑
kēng(keng1)
1hole
2pit
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 坑
坑Simplified
7Strokes
土Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5222Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 坑
Podcast: 坑
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AI Study Notes for 坑
Quick Contrast
坑 (kēng) vs 洞 (dòng) — use 坑 for a pit or hole specifically dug for a purpose, while 洞 refers to a more general hole or cavity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant 'k' (for kēng) shaped hole in the ground where someone fell in. The '坑' looks like a pit, and the top part resembles a person being trapped. Visualize the sound 'kēng' echoing in the pit as they call for help.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation; the tone is crucial because a wrong tone can change the meaning. In informal contexts, it might be used to describe being tricked or deceived, while in formal settings it might pertain more to construction or mining. Common collocations include 坑道 (kēngdào - tunnel) and 坑人 (kēngrén - to deceive someone).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, students should focus on its usage in both literal and figurative language. It connects with other Level 6 vocabulary related to deception and physical structures. Practice using it in sentences that illustrate both meanings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the term 坑 is often associated with ancient mining practices and the traps set in battles or conflicts, reflecting a long-standing awareness of both physical and metaphorical 'pits' in life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 坑 (kēng) with similar-sounding characters like 跟 (gēn), leading to incorrect usage in phrases. For example, using 跟人 (gēnrén - to follow someone) instead of 坑人 (kēngrén - to deceive someone) changes the meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 坑
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Grammar Patterns of 坑
坑 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 5 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他拿起一把铁锨，挖了个____，将自己曾经珍爱的物品埋了起来。
He took a shovel, dug a hole, and buried his once-prized possessions.
Example Sentences for 坑 (10)
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1
他拿起一把铁锨，挖了个坑，将自己曾经珍爱的物品埋了起来。
tā ná qǐ yī bǎ tiě xiān， ， wā le gè， kēng ， jiāng zì jǐ zēng jīng zhēn ài de wù pǐn mái le。
He took a shovel, dug a hole, and buried his once-prized possessions.
2
在仅剩的几个水坑里，河马根本无法没入水中。
zài jǐn shèng de jī gè shuǐ kēng lǐ， ， hé mǎ gēn běn wú fǎ méi rù shuǐ。
Hippos are unable to submerge in the few remaining water holes.
3
墙上仍然有她的子弹留下的凹坑。
qiáng shàng réng rán yǒu tā de zǐ dàn liú xià de āo kēng。
The pockmarks made by her bullets are still on the wall.
4
东挖西掘后留下了一片废弃的矿坑。
dōng wā xī jué hòu liú xià le yī piàn fèi qì de kuàng kēng。
All that digging had left a network of abandoned mines and tunnels.
Eric lost his footing and began to slide into the pit.
9
那些孩子挖了个坑准备栽树.
nà xiē hái zǐ wā le gè kēng zhǔn bèi zāi shù.
The boys scraped out a hollow place for planting trees.
10
许多坑洼处甚至给机动车都带来了危险，更别提骑自行车的人了。
xǔ duō kēng wā chǔ shèn zhì gěi jī dòng chē dū dài lái le wēi xiǎn， ， gēng bié tí qí zì háng chē de rén。
Many of the potholes are a danger even to motor vehicles, never mind cyclists.
Cultural Notes for 坑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese history, the term 坑 is often associated with ancient mining practices and the traps set in battles or conflicts, reflecting a long-standing awareness of both physical and metaphorical 'pits' in life.
Word Family of 坑
Words Containing This Character20
坑kēnghole
水坑puddle
火坑pit of fire
沙坑sandbox
矿坑mine礦坑
坑道mine shaft
茅坑latrine pit
弹坑bomb crater彈坑
基坑foundation groove
陨石坑meteorite impact crater隕石坑
坑坑洼洼bumpy坑坑窪窪
泥坑mud pit
坑人to cheat sb
坑洼pothole坑窪
坑害to trap
坑洞hole
坑口Hang Hau (area in Hong Kong)
坑蒙拐骗to swindle坑蒙拐騙
凹坑crater
坑木pit prop
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 坑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 坑
Expressions like 坑人 (kēngrén - to deceive someone) and 坑道 (kēngdào - pit or tunnel) are common. They highlight both the literal and figurative uses of the word.
You might say '他把我搞得很坑' (tā bǎ wǒ gǎo de hěn kēng), meaning 'He really trapped me' or 'He deceived me'. This shows its metaphorical use.
While it often has negative connotations, it can also be used in neutral contexts related to construction or geography, like discussing a mining pit.
