Word

孤陋寡闻 (gū lòu guǎ wén) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

Meaning of 孤陋寡闻

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

ill-informed and inexperienced

我孤陋寡闻，请多多指教。

wǒ gū lòu guǎ wén qǐng duō duō zhǐ jiào

I am ill-informed and inexperienced, please give me your guidance.

Word breakdown

孤 gū — isolated, cut off from knowledge

1 孤独 gū dú — lonely HSK 6
- 孤 alone, solitary
- 独 alone, solitary
Example

她在异国他乡常常感到孤独。

tā zài yì guó tā xiāng cháng cháng gǎn dào gū dú

She often feels lonely in a foreign land.
2 孤儿 gū ér — orphan HSK 7
- 孤 alone, solitary, without parents
- 儿 child, son
Example

这个孤儿被一个善良的家庭收养了。

zhè ge gū ér bèi yí ge shàn liáng de jiā tíng shōu yǎng le

This orphan was adopted by a kind family.
3 孤单 gū dān — lonely HSK 7
- 孤 solitary, isolated
- 单 single, alone
Example

她搬到新城市后常常感到孤单。

tā bān dào xīn chéng shì hòu cháng cháng gǎn dào gū dān

She often feels lonely after moving to the new city.
4 孤立 gū lì — isolated HSK 7
- 孤 alone, solitary
- 立 stand, be positioned
Example

他感到很孤立。

tā gǎn dào hěn gū lì

He feels very isolated.
5 孤零零 gū líng líng — all alone HSK 7
- 孤 alone, solitary
- 零 scattered, fragmentary (intensifies isolation)
- 零 scattered, fragmentary (reduplication for emphasis)
Example

孩子孤零零地坐在公园的长椅上。

hái zi gū líng líng de zuò zài gōng yuán de cháng yǐ shàng

The child sat all alone on the park bench.

陋 lòu — narrow, limited in perspective

1 丑陋 chǒu lòu — ugly HSK 7
- 丑 ugly, unsightly
- 陋 crude, shabby, inferior
Example

这座建筑虽然丑陋，但很实用。

zhè zuò jiàn zhù suī rán chǒu lòu dàn hěn shí yòng

Although this building is ugly, it is very practical.
2 简陋 jiǎn lòu — simple and crude HSK 7
- 简 simple
- 陋 crude
Example

他们住在简陋的小屋里。

tā men zhù zài jiǎn lòu de xiǎo wū lǐ

They live in a simple and crude cottage.

寡 guǎ — few, scarce in knowledge

闻 wén — heard, learned, experienced

Structure & writing

1 孤 gū — orphaned in childhood; later also referring to having lost both parents

孤 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 子 zǐ — child (son or daughter in ancient usage); now specifically son

Xpinyin

子 is a component in 19 characters

HSK 1

好 hǎo good; satisfactory (opposite of 坏) 字 zì written character; word 学 xué to study; to learn (opposite of 教) 孩 hái young child

HSK 2

游 yóu unfixed; constantly moving

HSK 3

季 jì the youngest among brothers (伯, 仲, 叔, 季 denoting birth order) 李 lǐ plum tree (deciduous tree with white flowers)

HSK 4

仔 zǎi (dial.) young man 厚 hòu thick (of a flat object, opposite of 薄) 存 cún to exist; to be alive 孙 sūn grandchild; relatives of the grandchild's generation

HSK 5

享 xiǎng to possess; to obtain

HSK 6

孕 yùn pregnancy 孤 gū orphaned in childhood; later also referring to having lost both parents

HSK 7

孔 kǒng hole; opening; aperture 孝 xiào to respect and support one's parents 孪 luán twin; born as a pair from one birth 猛 měng fierce; ferocious 籽 zǐ seeds of certain plants

1.2 瓜 guā — gourd or melon plant (vine with palmate leaves, typically yellow flowers, edible fruit; includes watermelon, pumpkin, winter melon, cucumber, etc.)

瓜 is a component in 3 characters

HSK 6

孤 gū orphaned in childhood; later also referring to having lost both parents

HSK 7

狐 hú fox (a mammal with a pointed snout, triangular ears, and a bushy tail, typically reddish-yellow in colour; commonly called 狐狸) 瓣 bàn petal, one of the segments forming a corolla

Stroke order

2 陋 lòu — ugly; unsightly

陋 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

2.1 阝 fǔ — mound/hill radical, representing elevated terrain

阝 is a component in 47 characters

HSK 1

都 dū capital city; seat of the national government 院 yuàn courtyard; open space enclosed by walls or fences around a building

HSK 2

阴 yīn the moon (太阴)

HSK 3

邮 yóu to mail; to send by post 邻 lín neighbor; neighboring household 阳 yáng yang, one of the two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy (opposite of 阴) 阿 ā (dial.) prefix placed before a ranking, nickname, or surname to express affection 附 fù to add on; to attach additionally

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除 chú to remove; to get rid of

HSK 4

郊 jiāo outskirts; suburbs 部 bù part; portion of a whole 队 duì line; column; procession 际 jì border; edge; boundary area 降 jiàng to fall; to descend (opposite of 升)

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险 xiǎn (of terrain) treacherous and difficult to pass; strategically vital 陪 péi to accompany, keep company 随 suí to follow

HSK 5

郎 láng ancient official title 防 fáng to take precautions against; to guard against unfavorable situations 阵 zhèn battle formation (arrangement of troops in combat) 阶 jiē steps; stairs built of brick or stone to facilitate going up and down 阻 zǔ to block; to obstruct

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陆 lù land; dry ground above water 陌 mò small east-west path between fields; road in general 限 xiàn specified range; limit 隔 gé to block; to separate

HSK 6

陷 xiàn trap; pitfall 隐 yǐn (lit.) grief; pity 障 zhàng to block; to obstruct; to conceal

HSK 7

廓 kuò outer edge or contour of an object 椰 yē coconut palm, a tall tropical evergreen tree whose fruit contains juice and edible flesh 萨 sà a surname 邪 xié wicked; evil; crooked 郁 yù richly fragrant; strongly aromatic

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郑 zhèng a Zhou-dynasty vassal state in present-day Xinzheng, Henan Province 鄙 bǐ vulgar; base; crude 阱 jǐng a pit trap for catching wild animals 陈 chén to place; to arrange; to display 陋 lòu ugly; unsightly 陡 dǒu steep, nearly vertical 陨 yǔn (lit.) to fall; to drop down 陵 líng hill; mound 陶 táo earthenware; pottery fired from clay, softer than porcelain and porous 隆 lóng grand; magnificent 隘 ài mountain pass; strategically important narrow place 隙 xì crack; crevice 隧 suì tunnel; underground or mountain passage

2.2 丨 gǔn — vertical stroke component, meaning 'passing through up and down'

丨 is a component in 8 characters

HSK 1

中 zhōng center; middle point equidistant from all sides 候 hòu to wait; to await

HSK 3

旧 jiù old; outdated (opposite of '新')

HSK 4

引 yǐn to pull; to tug 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)

HSK 6

串 chuàn to thread or string things together 兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one

HSK 7

陋 lòu ugly; unsightly

2.3 一 yī — the smallest positive integer; one (①used before a measure word ②used before a noun ③indicates a single action or a brief/tentative action)

一 is a component in 58 characters

HSK 1

下 xià lower position (opposite of 上): ① positioned below (opposite of 上); ② later in order or time; ③ within a certain range, condition, or circumstance 两 liǎng two (used before measure words and 半, 千, 万, 亿) 事 shì matter; affair; everything that happens in nature and society 候 hòu to wait; to await 元 yuán the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), founded by Kublai Khan

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HSK 2

夫 fū general term for an adult man 画 huà to draw or paint (with a brush or similar tool)

HSK 3

其 qí pronoun: ① he, they ② his, their ③ that, those 合 hé to close; to shut; to bring together (opposite of 开) 夏 xià summer (the second of the four seasons) 带 dài ribbon, strip, or belt-shaped object 应 yìng to reply; to answer

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或 huò perhaps; maybe 更 gēng to change; to replace; to substitute 末 mò tip or end of an object 求 qiú to beg, to implore 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲) 行 xíng to walk; to go

HSK 4

亚 yà inferior (mostly used in negative constructions) 亲 qīn related by blood or marriage; esp. parents 具 jù tool; utensil; implement 咸 xián (lit.) all; everyone (classical adverb) 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)

HSK 5

善 shàn kind; benevolent; charitable (opposite of 恶) 威 wēi authority or power that commands awe and respect 旦 dàn dawn; early morning 未 wèi not yet (opposite of 已) 武 wǔ military; martial (opposite of civil/literary "文")

HSK 6

兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one 德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 拜 bài to bow or salute as a show of respect 灭 miè go out; stop burning or shining (opposite of 着) 衰 shuāi to decline, to weaken

HSK 7

丘 qiū small hill; mound 丙 bǐng third of the ten Heavenly Stems; used to indicate third in order 丛 cóng to cluster together, to gather in a mass 兹 zī (lit., class.) demonstrative pronoun: this; this one 兽 shòu beast; mammal (generally referring to four-legged, fur-covered mammals)

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拯 zhěng to rescue, to save 朱 zhū vermilion, bright red 胚 pēi embryo; organism in early development, formed from fertilized or unfertilized egg 蒙 méng ignorant, lacking knowledge 贮 zhù to store; to stockpile 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺) 遣 qiǎn to dispatch; to send 陋 lòu ugly; unsightly 隆 lóng grand; magnificent

2.4 丙 bǐng — third of the ten Heavenly Stems; used to indicate third in order

丙 is a component in 3 characters

HSK 1

病 bìng illness; disease

HSK 7

柄 bǐng handle of an object 陋 lòu ugly; unsightly

Stroke order

3 寡 guǎ — widowed (of a woman)

寡 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

3.1 宀 mián — roof/house radical, shelter

宀 is a component in 48 characters

HSK 1

字 zì written character; word 它 tā third-person pronoun for non-human things; it 宜 yí suitable, appropriate 客 kè guest; visitor (opposite of 主) 家 jiā family; household as a social unit based on marriage and kinship

HSK 2

完 wán complete; whole; intact 室 shì room; chamber

HSK 3

安 ān safe, secure; opposite of '危' 定 dìng calm; stable 实 shí solid, filled completely with no gaps (opposite of "虚") 害 hài harm; disadvantage (opposite of 利、益) 容 róng to contain; to hold; to have capacity for

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宾 bīn guest (opposite of "主" host) 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually

HSK 4

寄 jì to entrust; to place one's trust in 富 fù wealthy; rich in resources (opposite of "贫" and "穷") 察 chá to observe closely; to investigate; to examine

HSK 5

守 shǒu to defend, guard (opposite of 攻) 宝 bǎo treasure; precious thing 宠 chǒng to dote on; to indulge with excessive affection (often from a superior to an inferior) 宣 xuān to announce publicly; to spread, disseminate 宽 kuān wide; broad (opposite of narrow)

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宿 sù to lodge; to spend the night; to sleep overnight 寓 yù to reside temporarily; to lodge

HSK 6

宅 zhái residence; dwelling 宏 hóng grand; vast 官 guān government or military official of a certain rank 审 shěn detailed; thorough 宫 gōng palace (residence of emperor, empress, crown prince, etc.)

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宴 yàn to host a banquet; to feast together 宵 xiāo night 寂 jì quiet, silent 寞 mò quiet and desolate; lonely 灾 zāi disaster caused by nature or human activity 牢 láo (lit.) pen or enclosure for livestock or wild animals

HSK 7

奥 ào southwest corner of a house in ancient times; inner recess of a room 宁 níng peaceful; tranquil 宇 yǔ eaves; by extension, a house or building 宗 zōng ancestor 宙 zhòu all time; eternity (past and present)

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宪 xiàn (lit.) laws and decrees 宰 zǎi to oversee; to preside over 寐 mèi (lit.) to fall asleep; to sleep 寝 qǐn to sleep 寡 guǎ widowed (of a woman) 寥 liáo sparse; few 穴 xué cave; pit or hole in the ground or a structure 贮 zhù to store; to stockpile

3.2 頁 yè — page; a leaf of a book or document

頁 is a component in 1 characters

HSK 7

寡 guǎ widowed (of a woman)

3.3 刀 dāo — knife; cutting tool used for slicing, cutting, or chopping

刀 is a component in 12 characters

HSK 1

分 fēn to divide; to separate (opposite of 合)

HSK 3

初 chū beginning; initial 解 jiě to split open; to separate

HSK 4

切 qiē to cut (with a knife, dividing into parts)

HSK 5

剪 jiǎn scissors; a cutting tool with two crossing blades 召 zhào to summon, to call

HSK 6

券 quàn ticket, voucher, or certificate 梁 liáng beam; horizontal load-bearing timber or structural member

HSK 7

劈 pī to chop or split open with a knife or axe 叨 dāo (colloq.) to talk endlessly; to chatter on and on (see "叨叨") 契 qì (lit.) to carve with a knife 寡 guǎ widowed (of a woman)

Stroke order

4 闻 wén — to hear

闻 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

4.1 门 mén — door; gate; entrance of a building, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or courtyard, also the barrier installed at such an entrance that can be opened and closed

门 is a component in 21 characters

HSK 1

们 men suffix added to pronouns or nouns referring to people to indicate plural 问 wèn to ask a question about something unknown or unclear 间 jiān between; the space where two periods of time or things meet

HSK 3

闻 wén to hear

HSK 4

闹 nào noisy; tumultuous (opposite of 'quiet') 阅 yuè to read; to look over

HSK 5

润 rùn to moisten; to add oil or water to prevent dryness 闭 bì to close; to shut 闲 xián free; unoccupied; idle (opposite of 'busy')

HSK 6

闪 shǎn to dodge aside quickly 闯 chuǎng to rush forward boldly; to charge 阔 kuò wide; broad; vast in area

HSK 7