故 Stroke Order — How to Write 故
故 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 攵, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
故 Radical and Character Components
故 is a phono-semantic compound: 攵 (tap) carries the meaning, while 古 indicates the sound.
Radical: 攵 + 5 more strokes
故 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- gù
Meanings of 故 in Chinese
1
gù故
Refers to unexpected events, such as accidents, mishaps, or malfunctions.
电梯突然出了故障，把我们困在了里面。
The elevator suddenly malfunctioned, trapping us inside.
Cause; reason (often used in compounds like 缘故 'yuángù' or 原故 'yuángù')
他今天没来，不知是何缘故。
He didn't come today; I wonder what the reason is.
Intentionally; on purpose; deliberately.
他不是故意的，只是一时失误。
He didn't do it on purpose; it was just a momentary mistake.
Old, past, former; relating to things or people from the past, such as one's hometown or an old friend.
无论走到哪里，她都怀念自己的故乡
No matter where she goes, she always misses her hometown.
Used to refer to friends or relatives, as in 'kin and friends' or 'connected by kinship/friendship'.
他是我的亲故，当然要多照顾一些了。
He is my kin and friend, of course I have to take care of him more.
To die; to pass away (referring to a person), often due to illness or old age.
他的祖母在去年病故了。
His grandmother passed away last year due to illness.
so; therefore; hence
天气预报说今天有雨，故出门前请带伞。
The weather forecast says it will rain today, so please bring an umbrella before going out.
Instead; on the contrary (used similarly to 顾/gù in this sense).
他非但不生气，故脸上反而露出了笑容。
Not only did he not get angry, but instead a smile appeared on his face.
Common Words and Phrases with 故
1
To confine oneself to old methods, stick to old conventions and make no progress.
作为一个设计师，如果总是故步自封，不学习新的软件和技术，很快就会被市场淘汰。
As a designer, if one always sticks to old ways and doesn't learn new software and techniques, they will soon be eliminated by the market.
2
old city
我们参观了位于山谷深处的故城遗址，感受到了历史的厚重。
We visited the ruins of the ancient city deep in the valley, feeling the weight of history.
3
Therefore; thus; consequently; for this reason.
天气预报说今天有大雨，故此，我们决定取消户外野餐。
The weather forecast predicted heavy rain today; therefore, we decided to cancel the outdoor picnic.
4
old way; old road; old river course
这条故道蜿蜒穿过山谷，承载着几代人的足迹
This old path winds through the valley, carrying the footsteps of generations.
5
Former residence; old home.
他回到家乡，特意去看了看儿时居住的故第
He returned to his hometown and specifically went to see his former residence where he had lived as a child.
6
An old haunt; a place where one once lived or often visited.
多年以后，他再次回到故地，回忆起童年时光
Many years later, he returned to his old place, recalling his childhood memories.
7
A trick, scheme, or a cunning pattern of behavior, often implying a sly or manipulative way of doing things.
老奶奶每次讲起那些故典，孩子们总是听得津津有味。
Grandma's stories of old always captivated the children.
8
former capital; ancient capital
漫步在故都的石板路上，历史的厚重感扑面而来。
Walking on the cobblestone streets of the former capital, the weight of history is palpable.
9
therefore; for that reason; consequently
他从小喜欢阅读，故而知识渊博。
He enjoyed reading from a young age, hence he is very knowledgeable.
10
The Forbidden City, located in the center of Beijing, is China's largest imperial palace and the world's largest ancient palace complex. It served as the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties.
每年都有数百万游客前来参观故宫的宏伟建筑和丰富藏品。
Millions of tourists visit the magnificent architecture and rich collections of the Forbidden City every year.
11
Motherland or one's native country; also refers to an ancient country or an old capital.
诗人常常在梦中回到故国，寻觅儿时的足迹。
The poet often returns to their old homeland in dreams, searching for childhood footprints.
12
relics; old traces; historical sites
漫步在废弃的园林中，随处可见历史留下的故迹，仿佛时间在此凝固。
Strolling through the abandoned garden, historical vestiges are visible everywhere, as if time has frozen here.
13
stock trick; old tactics
为了避免交更多的停车费，他故伎重演，每次都只停很短的时间然后重新计算。
To avoid paying more parking fees, he resorted to his old trick, only parking for a short period each time and then recalculating.
14
to play the same old trick again; to resort to one's old tricks
小明又故伎重演，假装肚子疼来逃避做家务。
Xiao Ming resorted to his old trick again, pretending to have a stomach ache to avoid doing chores.
15
descendants of a prominent or official family of the past
他虽然出身故家子弟，却没有任何纨绔习气，反而勤俭朴素。
Though a descendant of a once-prominent family, he showed none of the typical airs of a spoiled heir, instead living a diligent and modest life.
More words with 故
- yuán缘gù故cause; reason
- bìng病gù故died of illness
- jiǎng讲gù故shi事Tell a story, Storytelling
- jiè借gù故to find an excuse
- rú如gù故as before; like old friends
- shēn身gù故to die; demise
- shì是gù故therefore; consequently
- tuō托gù故make an excuse, plead an excuse
- wù物gù故to die; to pass away
- xì细gù故trivial matter; minor dispute
- yuán原gù故cause; reason
- zhǎng掌gù故anecdotes, historical stories
- biàn变gù故mishap, misfortune
- shì事gù故accident, incident
- diǎn典gù故allusion, classical allusion
- jiù旧gù故old acquaintance; old friend
- qīn亲gù故Relatives and old acquaintances.
- shì世gù故Sophisticated, Worldly
- wáng亡gù故deceased, died
- yǎ雅gù故Old acquaintance, Long-standing friendship
Idioms with 故
- gù故jì技chóng重yǎn演repeat the same old tricks
- gù故nòng弄xuán玄xū虚deliberately mystify to deceive
- gù故rén人zhī之qíng情affection between old friends
- gù故tài态fù复méng萌revert to old habits
- gù故tǔ土nán难lí离Hard to leave one's homeland
- gù故yì意diāo刁nàn难deliberately make things difficult
- gù故zuò作gāo高shēn深pretend to be profound
- gù故zuò作xuán玄xū虚deliberately act mysterious
- gù故zuò作zī姿tài态to put on an act
- bǎo饱jīng经shì世gù故worldly-wise and experienced
- bǎo饱liàn练shì世gù故worldly-wise and sophisticated
- bù不jīng经shì世gù故inexperienced in worldly affairs
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Open the tool →Questions about 故
What does 故 mean in Chinese?
故 (gù) means “Refers to unexpected events” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 故?
故 is pronounced gù in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 故 have?
故 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 故?
故 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 攵. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 故?
The radical of 故 is 攵, and 故 is a phono-semantic compound.