window
HSK level
窗户 is written with 16 strokes (窗: 12, 户: 4). The animation replays automatically.
窗户 (chuānghu) is a noun meaning 'window' — the opening in a wall, and the frame and glass that fill it.
It refers to the physical window of a room or building. English speakers should note two things. First, a computer or app 'window' is not 窗户; that is 窗口 (chuāngkǒu) or the borrowed 窗口/视窗.
Second, the proper measure word is 扇 (shàn), the same one used for doors, so you say 一扇窗户 ('one window'), though casual speech accepts 个. The word is a compound of 窗 ('window opening') and 户 ('door/household'), with 户 in the neutral tone. It is a plain, high-frequency noun, neutral in register, used constantly in describing rooms, weather, and homes.
Note: Everyday spoken word for a window. The second syllable 户 is neutral tone. The more formal or written single-character form is 窗 (chuāng), used in compounds like 窗帘.
Character by character
Memory hook: 窗 (window) + 户 (door/opening): the window-opening in a wall — a window.
太热了，请打开窗户。
Tài rè le, qǐng dǎkāi chuānghu.
It's too hot; please open the window.
spoken
外面下雨了，快把窗户关上。
Wàimiàn xiàyǔ le, kuài bǎ chuānghu guānshàng.
It's raining outside; hurry and close the window.
spoken
这个房间有两扇大窗户，光线很好。
Zhège fángjiān yǒu liǎng shàn dà chuānghu, guāngxiàn hěn hǎo.
This room has two big windows, so the light is great.
neutral
他坐在窗户旁边看书。
Tā zuò zài chuānghu pángbiān kàn shū.
He sat by the window reading.
neutral
窗 is the single-character, more written form and the base for compounds (窗帘 'curtain,' 天窗 'skylight'). In everyday speech about a room's window, 窗户 is the natural spoken choice.
Acquire it by listening
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