刻 kè
“quarter (hour); moment; to carve”
verbHSK 3 · 2021 list level 2
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
刻 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 735: 刻 kè — Level 3; official annotation 3（5） (量、（动）). PDF page 98
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 刻
刻 means to carve or engrave something into a hard surface. It is commonly used with names, words, or simple patterns and the surface where they are cut. A typical pattern is 把 + object + 刻在 + surface + 上, or 在 + surface + 上 + 刻 + object.
例句Example sentences
- 他把自己的名字刻在桌子上。tā bǎ zì jǐ de míng zi kè zài zhuō zi shàng.He carved his name on the desk.
- 爷爷在木头上刻了一只小鸟。yé ye zài mù tou shàng kè le yì zhī xiǎo niǎo.Grandpa carved a little bird on a piece of wood.
- 这个字是刻在石头上的。zhè ge zì shì kè zài shí tou shàng de.This character is carved on the stone.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗名字刻在桌子。
✓名字刻在桌子上。
When 在 introduces a surface location, the location usually needs 上 after the noun.