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verb / noun / measure word HSK 2
kè
to carve · to engrave · quarter (of an hour) · moment

Meaning

刻 is a versatile character meaning 'to carve' or 'to engrave' as a verb, and 'quarter-hour' or 'moment' as a noun. It's commonly used in telling time, where each 刻 represents 15 minutes. The carving meaning extends metaphorically to describe something deeply impressed or unforgettable.

Usage

In daily conversation, 刻 appears most often in time expressions like 三点一刻 (3:15). The carving sense is more formal or literary. When describing unforgettable experiences, natives use 深刻 (deep/profound). The time usage is standard across all registers.

Examples

  1. 01
    现在三点一刻了，我们该走了。
    Xiànzài sān diǎn yī kè le, wǒmen gāi zǒu le.
    It's 3:15 now, we should go.
  2. 02
    这次经历给我留下了深刻的印象。
    Zhè cì jīnglì gěi wǒ liú xià le shēnkè de yìnxiàng.
    This experience left a profound impression on me.

Common collocations

  • 一刻钟
    yī kè zhōng
    a quarter of an hour; 15 minutes
  • 刻不容缓
    kè bù róng huǎn
    brook no delay; urgent
  • 刻骨铭心
    kè gǔ míng xīn
    engraved on one's bones and heart; unforgettable
  • 此时此刻
    cǐ shí cǐ kè
    at this very moment

Origin

The character combines 亥 (a cyclical sign) and 刀 (knife), originally depicting the practice of carving notches on sundials or water clocks to mark time divisions.

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