角落
jiǎoluò
In Chinese, the English word 'corner' can be translated using several different terms depending on the context. The default form is 角落 (jiǎoluò). Wiktionary also lists 拐角 (guǎijiǎo) and 隅 (yú).
Meaning: space in the angle between converging lines or walls (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 角落 | jiǎoluò |
| 拐角 | guǎijiǎo |
| 隅 | yú |
| 旮旯 | gālá |
| 牆角 / 墙角 | qiángjiǎo |
角落 (jiǎo luò) is more commonly used when referring to a specific corner in a room or a location. 角落 refers more to an enclosed or recessed corner, such as a corner of a room or a nook.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 墙角 is a compound of 墙 (wall) and 角 (corner/angle).
Which one should you use?
拐角 (guǎi jiǎo) is often used when referring to a street corner or an exterior turn. It refers to a corner where a path or road turns, or the external corner of a building.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
隅 is a formal or literary term for a corner, often seen in written works rather than daily speech. 旮旯 is a colloquial term often used to describe a dusty or hard-to-reach corner.
How do you pronounce it?
jiǎoluò
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 角 also serves as a unit of currency and a musical note, though these meanings are unrelated to a 'corner'.
- The word 角 is used for both 'corner' and 'horn' in Chinese, reflecting the same geometric shape.
- The formal term 隅 is composed of a component meaning 'mound' and a phonetic component, suggesting a historical connection to a corner being a raised or protruding area.
Examples in context
- 女孩在教室的角落啜泣。The girl was sobbing in the corner of the schoolroom.This sentence shows how to use 角落 to describe a location within a room.Tatoeba #5363945 by egg0073, translation #267859 by CM
- 汤姆正站在房间的角落。Tom is standing in the corner of the room.This sentence shows how to use 角落 to describe where someone is standing.Tatoeba #8775853 by crescat, translation #1877493 by CK
- 艾德蒙多躲在浴室的角落。Edmundo hid in the back corner of the bathroom.This sentence shows how to use 角落 to describe a hiding place in a room.Tatoeba #13556585 by LeviHighway, translation #11753690 by Amastan
- 哎！你看，那个拐角有一家很好吃的餐厅！Hey! Look, there's a delicious restaurant at that corner!
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Yuting are cleaning their living room together.
- 浩然 Haoran这里的角落有很多灰尘。Zhèlǐ de jiǎoluò yǒu hěnduō huīchén.There is a lot of dust in this corner.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也看到了，我现在就清理。Wǒ yě kàndào le, wǒ xiànzài jiù qīnglǐ.I saw it too, I will clean it now.
- 浩然 Haoran请把扫帚放在那个角落吧。Qǐng bǎ sàozhǒu fàng zài nàge jiǎoluò ba.Please put the broom in that corner.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，浩然。Hǎo de, Hàorán.Okay, Haoran.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corner” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 旮旯, 角落, 隅, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
