钩子

• Pinyin: gōu zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 钩 = 钅(metal) + 勾 (curved shape); 子 = child/nominal suffix — making it a concrete noun referring to the object

Meaning

Hook; a physical hook-shaped object. A fastening or hanging device with a curved end used to catch, hold, or suspend things.

Refers to any hook-shaped physical object: coat hooks, fishing hooks, curtain hooks, crane hooks, etc. In digital or tech contexts, 钩子 is also used (as a loanword concept) for software 'hooks' — callback functions or interceptors in programming. In everyday speech, 钩子 is purely concrete and physical.

Examples

1. 浴室门后安装了几个钩子，方便挂毛巾和浴袍，充分利用了墙面空间。 Several hooks were installed behind the bathroom door for hanging towels and bathrobes, making full use of the wall space.
2. 施工队使用起重机上的大型钩子将预制板吊装到指定位置。 The construction crew used the large hook on a crane to lift a precast slab into the designated position.
3. 她找遍了储物间，终于找到一个能承重的钩子，把镜框稳稳挂在了墙上。 She searched the storage room and finally found a hook that could bear the weight, then hung the mirror frame securely on the wall.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, household, construction, hardware

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在入户门旁边装几个钩子，用来挂钥匙和外套，出门时更方便。(Install a few hooks next to the front door for hanging keys and coats — much more convenient when heading out.)
• 渔具店里各种尺寸的钩子一应俱全，适合钓不同大小的鱼。(The fishing tackle shop has hooks in every size, suitable for catching fish of all different sizes.)

Don't Say

• 将'钩子'与'钩'在需要区分时混用 — 钩子 is a concrete noun (the object); 钩 as a verb means the action of hooking; say 用钩子钩住 (use a hook to hook onto something), not 用钩钩子

Origin & History

钩 (hook; metal hooked shape) + 子 (nominal suffix for objects and tools). Together: a hook-shaped object.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal