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无辜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
无辜wúgūinnocentHSK 7, n, rank #1623, Hard
无辜wúgūinnocenceHSK 7, n, rank #1623, Hard
无辜wúgūnot guilty (law)HSK 7, n, rank #1623, Hard
wúgū(wu2gu1) T2
  1. 1innocent
  2. 2innocence
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March 24, 2026
无辜(無辜)wúgū(wu2gu1)

无辜 (wú gū) refers to a state of being innocent or not guilty, often used in legal contexts to denote someone who has not committed a crime. It can also imply a sense of being blameless in various situations, extending its usage beyond law to everyday scenarios where someone is wrongfully accused or suffers without fault.

Frequency#1623DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of innocence often ties closely to societal values of honor and reputation. Being labeled as 无辜 can carry significant weight, as it not only affects personal standing but also reflects on family and community.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person wearing a white robe (无) holding a sign that says 'Not Guilty' (辜) in a courtroom. The white robe symbolizes purity and innocence, reinforcing the idea that they are free from blame and wrongdoing, helping you remember the pronunciation 'wú gū.'

Meanings of 无辜

wúgū(wu2gu1)
1innocent
2innocence
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 无辜

无辜Simplified
無辜Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#1623Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 无辜

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Podcast: 无辜

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AI Study Notes for 无辜

Quick Contrast

清白 (qīngbái) — use 无辜 when emphasizing innocence in the context of wrongful accusation, while 清白 focuses more on being free from guilt or suspicion.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person wearing a white robe (无) holding a sign that says 'Not Guilty' (辜) in a courtroom. The white robe symbolizes purity and innocence, reinforcing the idea that they are free from blame and wrongdoing, helping you remember the pronunciation 'wú gū.'

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 无辜; it is often more formal and suitable for discussions about justice or morality. A common mistake is to confuse it with related terms like 无罪 (wú zuì, not guilty), which specifically refers to legal innocence. Ensure to use the correct tone to convey the intended meaning, as mispronouncing can alter the nuance.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 无辜 connects with other legal and moral vocabulary, enhancing discussions about justice and ethics. Focus on using it in complex sentences to practice your language skills, and try to relate it to other HSK 6 terms like 罪 (zuì, crime) or 责任 (zérèn, responsibility).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of innocence often ties closely to societal values of honor and reputation. Being labeled as 无辜 can carry significant weight, as it not only affects personal standing but also reflects on family and community.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 无辜 with 无罪 (wú zuì), thinking they mean the same thing; however, 无辜 emphasizes innocence more broadly, while 无罪 is strictly legal. For example, saying '我无罪' (I am innocent) is incorrect if referring to moral innocence; it should be '我无辜'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 无辜

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Component Characters

-less
HSK 44 strokes
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crime
12 strokes
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Write 无辜

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

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Grammar Patterns of 无辜

无辜 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 3 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

科尔曼坚称他是____的。

Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.

Example Sentences for 无辜 (5)

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1
科尔曼坚称他是无辜的。

kē ěr màn jiān chēng tā shì wú gū de。

Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.
2
他说滥杀无辜是不可原谅的。

tā shuō làn shā wú gū shì bù kě yuán liàng de。

He said the killing of innocent people was inexcusable.
3
对峙双方都只是在瞄准射击无辜的旁观者。

duì zhì shuāng fāng dū zhī shì zài miáo zhǔn shè jī wú gū de páng guān zhě。

Both groups on either side are just picking off innocent bystanders.
4
数百名无辜平民遭残杀.

shù bǎi míng wú gū píng mín zāo cán shā.

Hundreds of innocent civilians were cruelly slaughtered.
5
克里平坚称自己是无辜的。

kè lǐ píng jiān chēng zì jǐ shì wú gū de。

Crippen insisted on his innocence.

Cultural Notes for 无辜

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of innocence often ties closely to societal values of honor and reputation. Being labeled as 无辜 can carry significant weight, as it not only affects personal standing but also reflects on family and community.

Frequently Asked Questions about 无辜

No, 无辜 specifically refers to someone who is innocent or not guilty in a moral or legal sense, rather than someone who is simply unaware or naive.