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 phonosemantic compound, consisting of the earth radical 土 (tǔ) on the left and the phonetic component 后 (hòu) on the right. The 土 radical suggests soil or earthly matter, indicating the character's association with dirt and filth, while 后 supplies the sound. The original meaning refers to physical grime or bodily filth, and from this tangible sense it expanded to include metaphorical notions of moral impurity, disgrace, and social stigma. Thus, 垢 can describe stains on clothing or skin as well as blemishes on a person's character or reputation, reflecting a shift from literal earth-based filth to broader defilement.

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