谷

穀
gǔ

Definitions

gǔ (noun) valley
gǔ (noun) grain; corn

Etymology

Depicts an opening (口) between two mountain streams.

About

The character 谷 is a pictograph of a valley: the upper component 八 suggests two mountain streams, and the lower component 口 represents the opening where they meet, creating the image of a narrow gorge. This vivid depiction yields the primary meaning of a ravine or valley between high ground. In modern Chinese, 谷 also serves as the official simplified form of 穀 (gǔ), a character that originally signified cereal grains. Consequently, 谷 now conveys both the geographic sense of a valley and the agricultural sense of grain.

Example Sentences Hide

山谷里有很多树。

Shān gǔ lǐ yǒu hěn duō shù.

There are many trees in the valley.

农民收割谷物。

Nóngmín shōugē gǔwù.

Farmers harvest grains.

这条峡谷很深。

Zhè tiáo xiágǔ hěn shēn.

This gorge is very deep.

山谷中的空气很新鲜。

Shān gǔ zhōng de kōngqì hěn xīnxiān.

The air in the valley is very fresh.

谷物是重要的食物。

Gǔwù shì zhòngyào de shíwù.

Grains are important food.

我们计划周末去山谷野餐。

Wǒmen jìhuà zhōumò qù shān gǔ yěcān.

We plan to go to the valley for a picnic on the weekend.

由于干旱，谷物的产量下降了。

Yóuyú gānhàn, gǔwù de chǎnliàng xiàjiàng le.

Due to drought, the yield of grains has decreased.

硅谷是科技创新的中心。

Guīgǔ shì kējì chuàngxīn de zhōngxīn.

Silicon Valley is the center of technological innovation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

容 欲 俗 裕 浴 豁 峪 鹆 谿 郤 鋊 绤 谽 卻

Component: 谷

容 欲 俗 裕 浴 豁 峪 鹆 谿 郤 鋊 绤 谽 卻

Example Words

曼谷 河谷 谷歌 低谷 山谷 峡谷 布谷鸟 平谷 幽谷 硅谷 谷子 谷物 谷雨 谷类 虚怀若谷 谷底 五谷 催谷 函谷关 包谷 布谷 平谷区 府谷 打谷场