窟窿

• Pinyin: kū long
• Hanzi breakdown: 窟 = 穴 (cave) + 屈 (bend) — cave; 窿 = 穴 (cave) + 隆 (grand) — cavity

Meaning

Hole; cavity; deficit; gap. A physical hole or figuratively a financial shortfall.

Can describe physical holes in objects like clothes or walls. Figuratively, commonly used for financial deficits, budget gaps, or debts. The phrase 捅窟窿 means to create a financial hole or mess.

Examples

1. 袜子上有个窟窿，该换新的了。 There's a hole in the sock — time to get new ones.
2. 公司账目上有一个几百万的窟窿，不知道怎么填补。 There's a several-million hole in the company's accounts, and no one knows how to fill it.
3. 他到处借钱，东填西补，结果窟窿越来越大。 He borrowed money everywhere, patching holes here and there, but the deficit just kept growing.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, finance, problems

Tone: informal

Do Say

• 墙上有个窟窿。(There's a hole in the wall.)
• 这个财务窟窿很难填补。(This financial hole is hard to fill.)

Don't Say

• 用窟窿形容设计好的孔洞，如'门上的窟窿'。(Don't use 窟窿 for designed openings — use 孔 or 洞; 窟窿 implies damage or deficit)

Origin & History

Onomatopoeic origin, imitating the sound of something hollowing out. Can also be written as 窟隆.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal