壶 (hú) - A vessel with a spout and handle for & kettle

壶Tone 2

hú ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

壶 · hú

A vessel with a spout and handle for holding and pouring liquids;

kettle;

pot;

jug.

A vessel with a spout and handle forkettlepot

Usage highlights

teapotkettlewine potthermos flaskcoffee potwatering can

Synonyms

  • 罐— jar; pot; can (usually with narrower opening)
  • 瓶— bottle; vase (typically with narrow neck)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She poured tea from the teapot (茶壶).
  • We need a new water kettle (水壶) for camping.
  • The antique wine jug (酒壶) was displayed in the museum.
  • He carried a thermos flask (保温壶) to work.

Collocations

  • teapot(茶壶)
  • kettle(水壶)
  • wine pot(酒壶)
  • thermos flask(保温壶)
  • coffee pot(咖啡壶)
  • watering can(喷壶)

Idioms

  • A broken pot doesn't fear being smashed — one who has nothing left to lose(破罐破摔)
  • As easy as turning over one's hand — describes something very easy to do(易如反掌)
  • A pot calling the kettle black — the pot calls the kettle black(五十步笑百步)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 壶 has been an essential household item in Chinese culture for millennia, used for storing and serving tea, wine, and water.
  • In ancient times, bronze pots (青铜壶) were important ritual vessels and status symbols.
  • The teapot holds special significance in Chinese tea ceremony culture, representing hospitality and refinement.

FAQ