工具
tool; instrument; means
HSK level
- Pinyin
- gōngjù
- Part of speech
- noun
- Level
- HSK 4
- Strokes
- 11
- Register
- neutral
- Measure word
- 件 / 个
Stroke order for 工具
工具 is written with 11 strokes (工: 3, 具: 8). The animation replays automatically.
What does 工具 mean?
工具 (gōngjù) means 'tool, instrument, or means' — an object or method used to accomplish a task.
Literally 'work-implement,' it covers physical tools (hammer, screwdriver), software and apps (一个学习工具 'a study tool'), and abstract means to an end (语言是交流的工具 'language is a tool for communication'). Two differences from English: first, 工具 spans both concrete hardware and figurative 'means,' so it maps to English 'tool,' 'instrument,' and 'means' at once; context decides. Second, unlike some English uses, 工具 in the figurative sense of a person being 'used as a tool' (工具人 'a tool/pushover in a relationship') is a modern slang extension worth knowing.
The compound 交通工具 ('means of transportation') is a fixed and very common phrase. Register is neutral and appears in daily, technical, and abstract contexts.
Character by character
Memory hook: 工 (work) + 具 (implement) = a work implement, i.e. a tool.
Example sentences
这是一个很有用的工具。
Zhè shì yí ge hěn yǒuyòng de gōngjù.
This is a very useful tool.
neutral
你带工具了吗？
Nǐ dài gōngjù le ma?
Did you bring the tools?
spoken
自行车是很环保的交通工具。
Zìxíngchē shì hěn huánbǎo de jiāotōng gōngjù.
Bicycles are a very eco-friendly means of transportation.
neutral
语言是沟通的工具。
Yǔyán shì gōutōng de gōngjù.
Language is a tool for communication.
written
Common phrases with 工具
Synonyms
器具 means 'utensil / appliance / apparatus,' usually household or kitchen implements. 工具 is broader and covers work tools and abstract means. A ladle is a 器具; a hammer or a software app is a 工具.
手段 means 'means / method / tactic,' abstract and sometimes with a negative shade (不择手段 'by any means'). 工具 as 'means' is more neutral and can be a concrete object. Use 手段 for methods/tactics; 工具 for instruments or neutral means.
Don't confuse 工具 with
FAQ
Acquire it by listening
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