How to Write 笱 (gǒu) — Meaning “Bamboo fish trap”

Picture a bamboo basket shaped like a hook — the top 竹 means bamboo, and the bottom 句 looks like a bent hook or trap. Imagine using this hook-shaped basket to catch fish in a stream.

Write the top 竹 as two separate parts: left side first (撇, 横, 点), then right side (撇, 横, 点). For the bottom 句, make sure the outer 勹 wraps completely around the inner 口, and do not make the 勹 too narrow or too small.

笱 has the component 句 below and means a bamboo fish trap. 竽 has 于 below and refers to a reed musical instrument. 竿 has 干 below and means a bamboo pole or rod. Their shapes and meanings are distinct.

笱 is a rare character found mainly in classical literature or regional dialects, such as in the words 鱼笱 (fish trap) and 竹笱 (bamboo trap). It is used when describing traditional fishing methods or rustic life, not in everyday conversation.

Common words containing 笱 include: 鱼笱 (yú gǒu) — Bamboo fish trap; 竹笱 (zhú gǒu) — Bamboo fish trap; 放笱 (fàng gǒu) — to set a bamboo fish trap.