湖

• Pinyin: hú
• Hanzi breakdown: 湖 = 氵(water radical) + 胡 (phonetic component)

Meaning

Lake. A body of still water surrounded by land.

Used for lakes of all sizes. Appears in many famous place names such as 西湖 (West Lake in Hangzhou) and 洞庭湖 (Dongting Lake). Also used in compounds like 湖边 (lakeside).

Examples

1. 这个湖很大，水也很清。 This lake is very big and the water is very clear.
2. 我们周末去湖边玩吧。 Let's go to the lakeside this weekend.
3. 湖上有几只小船。 There are a few small boats on the lake.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, nature, travel

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 西湖很漂亮。(West Lake is very beautiful.)
• 湖边的风景真好。(The scenery by the lake is wonderful.)

Don't Say

• 不要把河叫湖 (Don't call a river a 湖 — 河 is flowing water, 湖 is still water surrounded by land)

Origin & History

Composed of 氵(water radical) and 胡 (phonetic component). Originally described any large body of still water.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal