kū

刳

Character · Verb

cut open; hollow out

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 4 examples
1.

verb

to cut open; to split open; to slit

literary

A classical/literary term for cutting open an object, especially lengthwise or to expose the interior.

Gǔ古
rén人
kū刳
mù木
wéi为
zhōu舟
 。

The ancients hollowed out logs to make boats.

Cǐ此
shòu兽
fù腹
bèi被
kū刳
 ，
nèi内
zàng脏
xiǎn显
lù露
 。

The belly of this beast was slit open, revealing its entrails.

2.

verb

to hollow out; to gouge out; to scoop out

literary

Specifically refers to removing the interior material to create a cavity, as in the classic example of making a canoe from a log.

Kū刳
mù木
chéng成
qì器
 ，
gǔ古
zhī之
jì技
yě也
 。

Hollowing out wood to make vessels was an ancient craft.

Jiàng匠
rén人
kū刳
qí其
hù瓠
 ，
yǐ以
wéi为
shuǐ水
piáo瓢
 。

The artisan hollowed out the gourd to make a water dipper.