够

• Pinyin: gòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 够 = 句 (hook, phonetic) + 多 (many)

Meaning

Enough; sufficient. Indicates that a quantity or degree meets the required standard.

Can be used as a verb meaning 'to be enough' or as an adverb meaning 'sufficiently.' Often paired with 了 to confirm sufficiency, or used in questions with 不 to ask if something is adequate. Also appears in the colloquial expression 够了够了 to tell someone to stop.

Examples

1. 钱够了，不用再给了。 That's enough money — no need to give more.
2. 这些菜够三个人吃。 This food is enough for three people.
3. 你觉得时间够吗？ Do you think there's enough time?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, shopping, quantity

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你带的钱够吗？(Did you bring enough money?)
• 够了，谢谢。(That's enough, thanks.)

Don't Say

• 我够高兴了。(Don't use 够 as a degree adverb before adjectives for positive emotions — say 我很高兴 or 我非常高兴 instead.)

Origin & History

Composed of 句 (sentence/hook, phonetic element) and 多 (many). The idea of 'many' reaching a threshold gives rise to the meaning 'enough.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal