Definitions

gōu (noun,verb) hook; to hook
gōu (verb) to sew; to crochet

Etymology

A metal  hook  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character for "hook" originated from the concept of a curved metal instrument, with its traditional form "鉤" combining the metal radical "金" with the phonetic and semantic component "句", which itself denotes a bend or curvature, thereby reflecting the object's material and functional shape. Over time, while the core meaning of a physical hook, such as for fishing or fastening, has persisted, the character's usage broadened to include metaphorical extensions like grammatical connectors or conceptual links. The simplified version "钩" maintains this etymological structure, substituting the metal radical with its abbreviated form "钅" while preserving the integral relationship between form and meaning.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

墙上挂着一个新子。

Qiáng shàng guà zhe yī gè xīn gōuzi.

A new hook is hanging on the wall.

能用来钓鱼。

Yúgōu néng yòng lái diàoyú.

A fishhook can be used for fishing.

她用针勾织花朵。

Tā yòng gōuzhēn gōu zhī huāduǒ.

She crochets flowers with a crochet hook.

请把钥匙挂在挂上。

Qǐng bǎ yàoshi guà zài guàgōu shàng.

Please hang the keys on the hook.

这个背包有牢固的扣。

Zhège bēibāo yǒu láogù de gōukòu.

This backpack has a sturdy buckle.

奶奶喜欢编彩色桌布。

Nǎinai xǐhuān gōubiān cǎisè zhuōbù.

Grandma likes to crochet colorful tablecloths.

登山者用子固定绳索。

Dēngshān zhě yòng gōuzi gùdìng shéngsuǒ.

The climber uses a hook to secure the rope.

这种机械臂通过住物体来搬运。

Zhè zhǒng jīxiè bì tōngguò gōuzhù wùtǐ lái bānyùn.

This robotic arm transports objects by hooking onto them.