How to Write 虢 (guó) — Meaning “Guo (an ancient state)”

Imagine two tigers (虍 and 虎) standing side by side, representing the powerful ancient State of Guo. This visual of "double tigers" helps link the character to its meaning as a historical state name.

Write the left part 虍 first (3 strokes: vertical, horizontal, horizontal hook), then the right part 虎 (8 strokes, starting with the top dot and then the 'seven' shape). Keep the left side narrow and the right side slightly wider, making sure the bottom of 虎 aligns with the left side's hook.

Visually, 虢 has 虍 on the left and 虎 on the right, while 虞 has 虍 on top with 吴 (wú) below. In meaning, 虢 refers specifically to an ancient state or surname, whereas 虞 means 'to worry' or 'to expect' and is also used as a surname.

虢 is rarely used today except in historical texts, surnames, and the idiom 假途伐虢 (jiǎ tú fá guó), which means 'to borrow a route to conquer Guo' and refers to a famous strategy from the Warring States period. This idiom is still used to describe a deceptive tactic where one asks for permission to pass through another's territory in order to attack a third party.

Common words containing 虢 include: 虢国 (guó guó) — The State of Guo; 姓虢 (xìng guó) — Surname Guo; 假途伐虢 (jiǎ tú fá guó) — to borrow a route to conquer Guo; to use a pretext to hide one's real goal.