Writing Balance Rule: The cave canopy (穴) must arch widely and evenly over the inner element (屈), giving the structure a protective, sheltering appearance without crushing the bottom component.
1. Meaning
cave, hole, underground den
cellarpitted depression
NounNeutral#geography#architecture#nature
Sample Usage
石窟
shíkū
grotto, stone cave
兔窟
tùkū
rabbit burrow
2. Sound
/[kʰu˥]/Tone: 55
窟
kūku1
|
++
¯(55)
=kū
Build the syllable
Step-by-step blending
ku
Tone mark placement: Tone mark sits on "u" per main-vowel priority (a > e > o; in -iu/-ui the mark takes the second vowel).
Initial Consonant
k
Type: Aspirated Velar
Sounds like: hard 'k' sound as in 'key'
Aspirated
Airflow Tactile Test: Strong gust of air from throat! Tissue held in front MUST fly forward.
Tongue & Mouth Position: Back of the tongue rises to contact the soft palate, releasing a burst of air.
Final Rhyme
u
Vowel Group: -u vowel group
Sounds like: -oo sound as in 'boot'
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'oo'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Tone
T1 (55)
5 → 5 (55)
1st Tone (High-Flat)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Maintains a steady, unchanging high pitch across the entire syllable, similar to a sustained musical note at the top of your vocal range.
👂
Listening trap: Confusing the high level Tone 1 (kū) with the dipping Tone 3 (kǔ) or falling Tone 4 (kù). Ensure you do not let the pitch drop.
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Physical Tone Gesture: A high, flat horizontal line drawn in the air at upper vocal range, matching a steady high-pitched note.
3. Writing
Topology: Full enclosure · Strokes: 13 strokes
Writing Balance Rule: The cave canopy (穴) must arch widely and evenly over the inner element (屈), giving the structure a protective, sheltering appearance without crushing the bottom component.
4. Components
Radical穴 · Cave Radical (cave, hole, pit)
Semantic Clue (形旁):穴 (denotes a physical cave or underground opening)
Phonetic Clue (声旁):屈 (original sound: qū / kū)
A cave entrance (穴) houses something bent or doubled over inside (屈), depicting a cramped underground dwelling or burrow.
穴 cave or hole semantic roof
屈 phonetic clue and hints at a bending, cramped interior
Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
5· Phonetic Root: 屈 (qū)
5. History
Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)
Origin: Combined the pictographic roof of a cave or pit dwelling (穴) with the phonetic and descriptive element (屈) indicating a winding, bending underground space.
Semantic Evolution: Originally referred specifically to wild animal burrows and pit caves, later broadening to include artificial grottoes (石窟) and underground hideouts.
Famous ancient Buddhist art sites in China, such as the Mogao Grottoes, use this character (敦煌石窟).
6. Sinosphere
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Kanji (Japanese)
On: クツ / Kun: iwa-ya
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Hanja (Korean)
굴
7. Memory
Vivid Mnemonic Story
Deep inside the Cave roof (穴), a gymnast is BENT (屈) double trying to fit into a tiny HOLE.
Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
屈
qūbent, to feel wronged, surname QuPhonetic Core (声旁)