Guó

Guó (果) is a Chinese character that primarily means "fruit" or "result." In Simplified Chinese, it is written as 果, while in Traditional Chinese, it appears as 果. The character belongs to the category of pictographic characters, originally depicting the shape of fruit hanging from a tree.

In modern usage, guó functions both as a standalone noun meaning fruit and as a component in numerous compound words. Common combinations include shuǐguǒ (水果, meaning "water fruit" or simply "fruit"), guǒrán (果然, meaning "as expected" or "really"), and guǒshù (果树, meaning "fruit tree"). The character also appears in philosophical and literary contexts, such as guǒbào (果报, meaning "karmic retribution" or "consequences").

The pronunciation of guó in Mandarin is "guǒ" with the third tone, though tonal variations exist in different Chinese dialects. In Cantonese, it is pronounced "gwɔː" in Jyutping romanization.

Beyond its literal meaning, guó carries cultural significance in Chinese society. The character frequently appears in classical literature, poetry, and philosophical texts, often symbolizing natural abundance, seasonal cycles, or metaphorical outcomes. In traditional Chinese medicine, various fruits classified under guó are considered important for maintaining health and balance.

The character has also influenced East Asian cultures beyond China, appearing in Japanese as "ka" or "kuda" and in Korean as "gwa," reflecting the historical spread of Chinese characters throughout the region. In contemporary contexts, guó remains widely used in digital communication, appearing in text messages, social media, and online forums as part of everyday Chinese language expression.