Definition
钩 (gōu) is both a noun ('hook', 'check mark ✓') and a verb ('to hook', 'to crochet', 'to sew with a hook'). Its verb sense is distinct from 勾 (gōu), which means 'to tick off' (勾选) and 'to attract/outline'. For abstract linking (e.g., economic policies), use the compound 挂钩 (guà gōu) instead.
noun
hookcatchclaspcheck marktick (✓)
verb
to hookto crochetto sew with a hook
Easily confused
- 沟gōulook-alikeditch, gutter (man-made drainage channel)
- 够gòusound-alike(adverb) enough, sufficiently (before adjectives; also colloquially 'really')
- 狗gǒusound-alikedog
- 勾gōusound-alike(verb) to tick; to check off
Examples
- 钩。Tā bǎ wàitào guà zài qiáng shàng de gōu shàng.He hung his coat on the hook on the wall.
- 钩。Qǐng zài zhèngquè de dá'àn pángbiān dǎ gōu.Please put a check mark next to the correct answer.
- 钩。Nǎinai zhèngzài yòng máoxiàn gōu yì tiáo wéijīn.Grandma is crocheting a scarf with yarn.
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