故 gù former
former; reason; deliberate
How to remember 故: 古 old + 攵 tap = former. At the class reunion an old classmate gives him a tap on the shoulder, and he suddenly recognises his former best friend.
Component breakdown
故 = 古 old + 攵 tap
- 古 old
- 攵 tap
At the class reunion an old classmate gives him a tap on the shoulder, and he suddenly recognises his former best friend.
How it came to be
A hand with a stick making something happen, with old beside it for the sound. What was made to happen before now.
How it is used
- Carries "reason/cause," "deliberate," and "old/former." 故意 (gùyì) on purpose, 无故 (wúgù) without cause, 事故 (shìgù) accident/incident.
- 故事 (gùshi) story is the first word learners meet - note 事 is neutral tone here.
- For "hometown" 故乡 (gùxiāng) is literary/nostalgic; everyday speech prefers 老家 (lǎojiā). 故障 (gùzhàng) = a technical malfunction/breakdown.
Characters built with 故
Words with 故
Example sentences
- 这是一次事故。 Zhè shì yí cì shìgù.There was an accident.
- 他是故意那样做的 tā shì gù yì nà yàng zuò deHe did it on purpose
- 她们看的故事书很热门。 Tāmen kàn de gùshishū hěn rèmén.The story books they read are very popular.
- 那个爱情故事很浪漫。 Nàge àiqíng gùshi hěn làngmàn.That love story is romantic.