How to Write 句 (gōu/jù) — Meaning “Sentence; (measure word for sentences)”

Imagine a hook (sounds like 'gōu') that wraps around a mouth (口). The hook shape is the outer part 勹, and the mouth inside reminds you that a sentence comes from speech.

First write the outer wrapper 勹: a left-falling stroke, then a horizontal hook. Next, write the 口 inside, centered. A common mistake is making the 口 too large or too low, so it touches the wrapper unevenly.

口 means 'mouth' and stands alone. 句 adds a wrapper 勹, turning it into 'sentence.' 卟 is rare; it has 口 on the left and 卜 (divination) on the right, used for sounds. Visually, 句 has a curved top stroke that 口 and 卟 lack.

句 is mainly used as a measure word for sentences, like 一句话 (yī jù huà) meaning 'one sentence.' It appears in common words like 句子 (sentence) and 造句 (to make a sentence), and is essential in Chinese grammar lessons.

Common words containing 句 include: 句子 (jù zi) — Sentence; 造句 (zào jù) — to make a sentence; 一句话 (yī jù huà) — one sentence; a word.