Chinese word

够

Pronunciation

Pinyingòu

Meaning

  • verbbe enough

Example

时间够吗？shí jiān gòu ma

Is there enough time?

Illustration for 够 (be enough)

More examples

饭菜够吃。fàn cài gòu chī

There is enough food to eat.

Core concept

A needed supply or condition crosses the line from insufficient to sufficient.

Common phrases

  • 钱够用qián gòu yòng

    enough money to use

  • 饭菜够吃fàn cài gòu chī

    enough food to eat

Similar words

足够zú gòu: Be sufficient in quantity or degree, with no shortage.
满足mǎn zú: Satisfy a condition, need, request, or wish.
够用gòu yòng: Be enough for a particular purpose or length of time.

Definition in Chinese

表示某物或某种条件已经满足要求，可以进行下一步或做出肯定判断，既可描述数量，也可指能力或时间的充足性。biǎo shì mǒu wù huò móu zhǒng tiáo jiàn yǐ jīng mǎn zú yāo qiú ké yǐ jìn xíng xià yí bù huò zuò chū kěn dìng pàn duàn jì kě miáo shù shù liàng yě kě zhǐ néng lì huò shí jiān de chōng zú xìng

Word origin

The simplified form 够 (gòu, "enough") comes from 夠 (gòu, "enough"), whose older use centered on reaching a required point; this developed into sufficiency in amount, time, or ability.

Usage tips

  • Chinese uses 够不够 (gòu bu gòu, "enough or not enough") for a direct sufficiency check, whereas 不够 (bù gòu, "not enough") states that the needed level has not been reached.

Other meanings

  • enoughadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 够用gòu yòngsufficient for useadjective

Word lists with this word