垢 (gòu) - dirt, filth, grime & disgrace, shame

垢Tone 4

gòu ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

垢 · gòu

dirt, filth, grime;

disgrace, shame;

also refers to dust or unclean matter.

dirt, filth, grimedisgrace, shamealso refers to dust or unclean matter.

Usage highlights

dirt and grimedust and dirtto endure humiliationto bear shamestain or blemishfilthy language

Synonyms

  • 污— dirt, filth
  • 尘— dust
  • 秽— filthy, unclean

Antonyms

  • 洁— clean, pure
  • 净— clean, purified

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The surface was covered in dust and grime (污垢).
  • He felt ashamed of his past actions (含垢忍辱).
  • She scrubbed away the dirt (垢污) from the floor.
  • The old book was covered in dust (尘垢).

Collocations

  • dirt and grime(污垢)
  • dust and dirt(尘垢)
  • to endure humiliation(含垢)
  • to bear shame(忍垢)
  • stain or blemish(瑕垢)
  • filthy language(垢语)

Idioms

  • To endure humiliation and bear hardships(含垢忍辱)
  • To cleanse oneself from filth(涤垢洗瑕)
  • Dirt and grime accumulated over time(积垢纳污)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, cleanliness and purity are highly valued, making '垢' a symbol of impurity or moral stain.
  • The character appears in classical texts describing physical dirt as well as metaphorical shame or disgrace.
  • Used in Buddhist contexts to represent defilements that obscure one's true nature.

FAQ