How common it is
湖 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say hú slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
湖表示四周有陆地包围的水域。
hú biǎo shì sì zhōu yǒu lù dì bāo wéi de shuǐ yù。
湖 means a body of water surrounded by land.
Context note
湖常用于自然、旅游和地理。
hú cháng yòng yú zì rán 、 lǚ yóu hé dì lǐ。
It is often used with nature, travel, and geography.
5 examples
湖很大。
hú hěn dà。
The lake is very big.
我们去湖边玩。
wǒ men qù hú biān wán。
We went to play by the lake.
湖水很清。
hú shuǐ hěn qīng。
The lake water is very clear.
湖上有船。
hú shàng yǒu chuán。
There is a boat on the lake.
这个湖很美。
zhè ge hú hěn měi。
This lake is beautiful.
5 mini stories
周末，他们去湖边散步。
zhōu mò， tā men qù hú biān sàn bù。
On the weekend, they walked by the lake.
湖面很安静。
hú miàn hěn ān jìng。
The lake surface is very calm.
老师给孩子们看了湖的照片。
lǎo shī gěi hái zi men kàn le hú de zhào piàn。
The teacher showed the children photos of the lake.
湖边有很多树。
hú biān yǒu hěn duō shù。
There are many trees by the lake.
夕阳下的湖很漂亮。
xī yáng xià de hú hěn piào liang。
The lake at sunset is beautiful.