All meanings
- happening
- instance
- reason
- cause
- intentional
- former
- old
- friend
- therefore
- hence
- (of people) to die, dead
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Related words
Words with 故
Grammar notes
Appears in these articles
HSK levels
故: New to the HSK lists at HSK 7-9. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
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Frequently Asked Questions
故 (gù) means "happening; instance; reason; cause; intentional; former; old; friend; therefore; hence; (of people) to die, dead" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 7-9.
故 is pronounced "gù" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.
故 is an HSK 7-9 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.
Common words with 故 include 事故 (accident), 典故 (classical story or quote from the literature), 世故 (the ways of the world), 亡故 (to die), 何故 (what for?).
You can practice writing 故 using our stroke order tool.
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.