厚 (hòu) - thick & deep

厚Tone 4

hòu ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

厚 · hòu

thick;

deep;

profound;

generous;

kind;

substantial;

rich (in flavor)

thickdeepprofound

Usage highlights

thick and thinprofound friendshipgenerous treatmentthickrich flavordeep affection

Synonyms

  • 浓— thick, concentrated (for liquids)
  • 深— deep, profound
  • 重— heavy, serious

Antonyms

  • 薄— thin, shallow, meager
  • 浅— shallow, superficial

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The book is very thick (厚书).
  • He has profound knowledge (知识深厚).
  • This fabric is thick and warm (厚布料).
  • She is kind and generous (厚道的人).

Collocations

  • thick and thin(厚薄)
  • profound friendship(厚谊)
  • generous treatment(厚待)
  • thick-skinned(脸皮厚)
  • rich flavor(厚味)
  • deep affection(厚爱)

Idioms

  • High mountains and lofty peaks(高岸深谷)
  • Deep affection and profound friendship(深情厚谊)
  • Generous reward(厚赏)
  • Honest and sincere(敦厚朴实)
  • Thick accumulation and thin distribution(厚积薄发)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian ethics, 'thickness' (厚) represents moral depth and generosity of character.
  • Traditionally associated with substantiality and reliability in both material and moral senses.
  • Used in business contexts to describe substantial profits or generous treatment.

FAQ