垢

gòu

后 + 土

Definitions

gòu dirt; disgrace

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 后 represents the sound.

Semantic: 土 Phonetic: 后

About

The character 垢 (gòu) is a phono-semantic compound meaning dirt, filth, or grime. Its left side is the earth radical 土 (tǔ), indicating the semantic category of soil or dust, while the right side is the phonetic component 后 (hòu), which guides its pronunciation. This meaning later extended metaphorically to include moral impurity, disgrace, and social stigma, allowing the character to describe both physical stains and abstract blemishes on one's reputation or character.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

衣服上有污垢。

Yīfu shàng yǒu wūgòu.

There is dirt on the clothes.

厨房里有很多油垢。

Chúfáng lǐ yǒu hěn duō yóugòu.

There is a lot of grease in the kitchen.

他用刷子刷掉污垢。

Tā yòng shuāzi shuā diào wūgòu.

He used a brush to scrub off the dirt.

水壶里积满了水垢。

Shuǐhú lǐ jī mǎn le shuǐgòu.

The kettle is full of scale.

因为长时间不清理，机器上都是污垢。

Yīnwèi cháng shíjiān bù qīnglǐ, jīqì shàng dōu shì wūgòu.

Because it hasn't been cleaned for a long time, the machine is covered with dirt.

古老的雕像上覆盖着厚厚的尘垢。

Gǔlǎo de diāoxiàng shàng fùgài zhe hòuhòu de chéngòu.

The ancient statue is covered with thick dust and dirt.

定期清除水垢能延长家电寿命。

Dìngqī qīngchú shuǐgòu néng yáncháng jiādiàn shòumìng.

Regularly removing scale can extend the life of household appliances.

尽管她脸上有尘垢，但眼睛依然明亮。

Jǐnguǎn tā liǎn shàng yǒu chéngòu, dàn yǎnjīng yīrán míngliàng.

Although there is dust and dirt on her face, her eyes are still bright.

Related Characters

Component: 后

Component: 土

垢