茶壶
cháhú · teapot
茶壶里有热茶。
There is hot tea in the teapot.
Chinese character · HSK 6
壶 (hú) — “pot / kettle”
The character visually outlines a traditional pot: the top '士' acts as the lid and handle, the '冖' forms the wide shoulders, and the '业' serves as the rounded belly and footed base.
Memory cue
The scholar (士) covers (冖) his work (业) to take a break and enjoy a pot (壶) of tea.
Video mnemonic
Watch 壶 in motion
See the visual story unfold, then connect it to the words and sentences below.
Common ways to use 壶
In these common words, 壶 (hú) names a container used to hold or pour a drink.
水壶
shuǐhú · water bottle or canteen
出门别忘了带水壶。
Don't forget to take a water bottle when you go out.
Inside the character
- 士 (scholar / officer) — meaning component. Originally an axe-bearing warrior — often marks scholars, officers, or upright men.
- 冖 (cover) — meaning component. A flat covering — often marks something laid over the top.
- 业 (career / industry) — meaning component.
Where 壶 comes from
Originally a pure pictograph (壺) depicting a round-bellied vessel with a lid and base. The simplified form '壶' brilliantly preserves this visual outline using existing character components.
Learn 壶 the visual way. InkSeal pairs every HSK 1–6
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More characters: 夹 (jiā, to clip / to squeeze) · 妈 (mā, mother / mom) · 寿 (shòu, longevity / long life) — or browse the full character library.