甲骨 (jiǎgǔ) refers to 'oracle bones,' which are pieces of turtle shell or bone used in ancient Chinese divination practices. These artifacts, dating back to the Shang dynasty, feature inscriptions that provide insights into early Chinese writing and history, often relating to royal inquiries and significant events.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
jiǎgǔ(jia3gu3) T3
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
May 27, 2026
甲骨jiǎgǔ(jia3gu3)
甲骨 (jiǎgǔ) refers to 'oracle bones,' which are pieces of turtle shell or bone used in ancient Chinese divination practices. These artifacts, dating back to the Shang dynasty, feature inscriptions that provide insights into early Chinese writing and history, often relating to royal inquiries and significant events.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The study of 甲骨 is crucial for understanding the origins of Chinese writing and the spiritual beliefs of ancient Chinese society, illustrating how they sought knowledge and guidance from ancestors through divination.
Memory Tip
Imagine a turtle with a shell that tells the future. When you think of 甲 (jiǎ), picture a shell (it looks like a shell) and the word 'bone' (骨, gǔ) as the solid support for the turtle's wisdom. Together, they form the oracle bones that connect the past to divination.
About 甲骨
甲骨Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 甲骨
Podcast: 甲骨
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 甲骨
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a turtle with a shell that tells the future. When you think of 甲 (jiǎ), picture a shell (it looks like a shell) and the word 'bone' (骨, gǔ) as the solid support for the turtle's wisdom. Together, they form the oracle bones that connect the past to divination.
Usage Notes
甲骨 is typically used in academic or historical contexts, so it may not be encountered in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the formal register when discussing this term, especially in discussions about Chinese history or archaeology.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 7 word, focus on understanding the historical significance of 甲骨 and its role in the development of Chinese characters. It connects well with other HSK 7 vocabulary related to history, culture, and writing systems.
Cultural Note
The study of 甲骨 is crucial for understanding the origins of Chinese writing and the spiritual beliefs of ancient Chinese society, illustrating how they sought knowledge and guidance from ancestors through divination.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 甲骨 with modern terms for 'bones' (骨头, gǔ tóu) or 'shell' (壳, ké), which are not interchangeable. Remember that 甲骨 specifically refers to the historical artifacts used for divination.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 甲骨
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 甲骨 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 甲骨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 甲骨
🏮Cultural insight
The study of 甲骨 is crucial for understanding the origins of Chinese writing and the spiritual beliefs of ancient Chinese society, illustrating how they sought knowledge and guidance from ancestors through divination.
Frequently Asked Questions about 甲骨
Oracle bones were used for divination, allowing ancient Chinese to seek answers from the divine regarding future events or decisions.
Oracle bones contain some of the earliest known Chinese characters, providing key insights into the evolution of the written language.
No, oracle bones are an ancient practice; however, their study remains important in archaeology and historical research.
