酷
Character learning workspace

kù · strong, stimulating

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 3.0 · Level 6Frequency #2111
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 酷

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

Interactive stroke trainerWatch and inspect
Checking daily allowance…Please waitGo unlimited
Loading strokes…
0 strokes
Choose Watch order or Practice writing
Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 酷 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

Loading stroke diagrams…

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

14Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

酉Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 酷 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

Preparing worksheet…
Customize

Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 酷

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

kùWords pronounced kù
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 酷 sits in each complete thought.

Duì dòng wù lái shuō zhè bú shì shén me cán kù de shì qíng.对动物来说这不是什么残酷的事情。

When it comes to animals, this can't be considered as being something cruel.

Source: Tatoeba #1659167 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè gè nǚ hái kù sì tā de mǔ qīn.這個女孩酷似她的母親。

The girl resembles her mother.

Source: Tatoeba #845497 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ zhēn lěng kù wú qíng.你真冷酷無情。

You have no heart.

Source: Tatoeba #346857 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ kù ài yì dà lì kuān miàn tiáo.我酷爱意大利宽面条。

I love tagliatelle.

Source: Tatoeba #502783 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā duì tā men hěn yán kù.她对他们很严酷。

She is hard on them.

Source: Tatoeba #706428 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tāng mǔ rènwéi shì kù ér.汤姆认为是酷儿。

Tom identifies as queer.

Source: Tatoeba #8853807 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 酷 in context

  1. Say kù, then recall the core meaning: strong, stimulating.
  2. Write all 14 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 残酷 (cán kù), meaning “cruel”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 酷 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.