溝 (gōu) - Ditch, trench, gutter, channel & groove, furrow

溝Tone 1

gōu ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

溝 · gōu

Ditch, trench, gutter, channel;

groove, furrow;

communication channel.

Ditch, trench, gutter, channelgroove, furrowcommunication channel.

Usage highlights

Drainage ditchCommunicationTrench warfareIrrigation canalGutterRavine

Synonyms

  • 渠— canal, channel
  • 壑— gully, ravine
  • 槽— groove, slot

Antonyms

  • 脊— ridge (opposite of groove/ditch)
  • 峰— peak, summit

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The workers dug a drainage ditch (排水沟).
  • There is a deep trench between the fields (田间的深沟).
  • We need to improve communication channels (沟通渠道).
  • The carpenter cut a groove in the wood (木槽沟).

Collocations

  • Drainage ditch(排水沟)
  • Communication(沟通)
  • Trench warfare(堑壕战)
  • Irrigation canal(灌溉沟渠)
  • Gutter(水沟)
  • Ravine(山沟)

Idioms

  • As different as heaven and earth(判若鸿沟)
  • Fill gullies and level ravines(填沟平壑)
  • Deep trenches and high fortifications(深沟高垒)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with irrigation systems and agricultural water management in ancient China.
  • In modern usage, extended metaphorically to communication gaps or channels (e.g., 沟通).
  • Often appears in geographical names describing ravines or gullies in mountainous regions.

FAQ