刻 Stroke Order — How to Write 刻
刻 is written in 8 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 刂, 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.
刻 Radical and Character Components
刻 is a phono-semantic compound: 刂 (knife) carries the meaning, while 亥 indicates the sound.
Radical: 刂 + 6 more strokes
刻 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- kè
Meanings of 刻 in Chinese
1
kè刻
To carve, engrave, or chisel using a tool, often to create text, images, or forms on materials like wood or stone.
他喜欢在木头上刻字。
He likes to carve letters on wood.
When used to denote time, it refers to a quarter of an hour, meaning fifteen minutes.
现在是下午三点一刻。
It is now a quarter past three in the afternoon.
Refers to a specific point in time or a short duration, often used in phrases like '此刻' (at this moment) or '即刻' (immediately).
直到我们抵达目的地的最后一刻，他都在努力工作。
He worked hard until the last moment we arrived at our destination.
Deeply diligent; extremely hardworking.
他学习非常刻苦，经常熬夜。
He studies very diligently, often staying up late.
To be unkind, harsh, critical, or severe in speech or actions, often seen in phrases like '刻薄' (mean), '尖刻' (cutting), '苛刻' (demanding).
他对待下属总是非常苛刻，要求一丝不苟。
He is always very harsh and demanding towards his subordinates, expecting absolute meticulousness.
Used in words like "刻苦" (kè kǔ), it means assiduous or painstaking, implying a strong effort to overcome difficulties, similar to the "克" in "克服" (kè fú - to overcome) or "克己" (kè jǐ - to restrain oneself).
她为了考上理想的大学，学习非常刻苦
To get into her dream university, she studied very assiduously.
Common Words and Phrases with 刻
1
mechanical, inflexible, or rigid; lacking flexibility and originality
博物馆里展示着一些古代的刻板，用来印制书籍和画作
Some ancient engraved plates were displayed in the museum, used for printing books and artworks.
2
block-printed edition
图书馆珍藏着许多珍贵的古代刻本。
The library treasures many valuable ancient woodblock print editions.
3
Harsh, critical, and unkind, especially in speech or behavior towards others.
他对待下属总是很刻薄，从不给人留情面
He is always very harsh with his subordinates, never showing any mercy.
4
Allow of no delay; extremely urgent.
随着截止日期临近，完成这份报告已经刻不容缓
As the deadline approaches, completing this report is now of the utmost urgency.
5
Spiteful; venomous; malignant.
她对待新来的员工总是很刻毒，让人难以忍受
She is always maliciously cruel to the new employees, making it unbearable.
6
The marks or divisions on a measuring instrument or scale that indicate values.
温度计上的刻度显示了今天的气温。
The scale on the thermometer shows today's temperature.
7
Deeply ingrained or etched in one's memory; unforgettable.
那段友谊带给我的温暖，让我刻骨难忘
The warmth from that friendship is deeply etched in my memory.
8
To be deeply etched in one's memory; unforgettable.
第一次看到大海的景象，对我来说是刻骨铭心的
The first sight of the ocean was a deeply unforgettable experience for me.
9
To depict or portray (often with great detail and skill); to carve and paint.
这部电影成功地刻画了一个普通人在逆境中奋斗的故事。
This movie successfully portrays the story of an ordinary person struggling in adversity.
10
To engrave on one's mind, remember deeply; also, an engraved mark or inscription.
我将把这份友谊刻记在心。
I will deeply engrave this friendship in my heart.
11
Diligent and assiduous, not afraid of hardship.
他学习刻苦，最终考上了理想的大学。
He studied diligently and finally got into his dream university.
12
A water clock, an ancient device used for telling time.
书生夜读，唯有窗外虫鸣与室内刻漏滴水之声相伴
The scholar studied late into the night, accompanied only by the chirping of insects outside the window and the dripping sound of the water clock inside.
13
to carve; to engrave (especially in one's mind)
这块古老的玉石上刻镂着精美的图案，展现了古代工匠的卓越技艺。
This ancient jade is carved with exquisite patterns, showcasing the superb craftsmanship of ancient artisans.
14
on a set date; on a fixed date
项目经理要求团队成员刻期提交最终方案。
The project manager required team members to submit the final proposal by the stipulated deadline.
15
a type of Chinese silk tapestry with cut designs
这件博物馆展出的宋代刻丝作品，图案精美，工艺精湛，令人赞叹不已。
The Song Dynasty Kesi tapestry exhibited in this museum, with its exquisite patterns and superb craftsmanship, is truly admirable.
16
To mark or incise lines on a surface (such as wood, metal, or brick) with a pointed tool.
为了确保切割准确，工程师在金属板上刻线作为引导。
To ensure accurate cutting, the engineer scribed lines on the metal plate as a guide.
More words with 刻
- piàn片kè刻a short while; an instant; a moment
- cǐ此kè刻at this moment; now
- kē苛kè刻harsh, demanding
- bǎn版kè刻block printing, wood engraving
- bēi碑kè刻Inscription, Stone inscription
- jí即kè刻Immediately; at once; instantly.
- jiān尖kè刻sharp, caustic
- là蜡kè刻Cerograph; engraving on wax.
- lòu镂kè刻Engrave, Carve
- qǐng顷kè刻In an instant, In a moment
- shǎo少kè刻in a while
- shí蚀kè刻etching, etch
- diāo雕kè刻Carve, Sculpt
- míng铭kè刻engrave, inscribe
- suān酸kè刻harsh; sarcastic and mean
- zhuàn篆kè刻seal carving, seal engraving
- dùn顿kè刻Instantly, Immediately
- juān镌kè刻to engrave; to carve
- jùn峻kè刻stern and harsh
- mó摹kè刻engrave, carve
Idioms with 刻
- kè刻bó薄guǎ寡ēn恩harsh and unfeeling
- kè刻gǔ骨chóu仇hèn恨deep-seated hatred
- kè刻gǔ鹄bù不chéng成Imitate a swan, end up with a duck
- kè刻huà画rù入wēi微depict with meticulous detail
- kè刻kǔ苦nài耐láo劳diligent and hardworking, enduring toil
- kè刻kǔ苦zuān钻yán研study diligently and assiduously
- kè刻yì意jīng经yíng营meticulously manage and plan
- kè刻zhāng章zhuó琢jù句meticulously refine writing
- kè刻zhōu舟qiú求jiàn剑cling to outdated methods
- chūn春xiāo宵yī一kè刻a precious moment of a spring night
- diāo刁zuān钻kè刻bó薄cunning, malicious, and harsh
- diāo雕chóng虫zhuàn篆kè刻insignificant literary or artistic skill
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Open the tool →Questions about 刻
What does 刻 mean in Chinese?
刻 (kè) means “To carve” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 刻?
刻 is pronounced kè in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 刻 have?
刻 has 8 strokes.
How do you write 刻?
刻 is written in 8 strokes, starting from the radical 刂. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 刻?
The radical of 刻 is 刂, and 刻 is a phono-semantic compound.
