n. (Hira=つづみ) hand drum

v. (Hira=こする) drum, play a percussion instrument; beat rhythmically; cheer, encourage

v. (Trad=鼓, Pinyin=gu3) beat, rouse, drum

n. (Trad=鼓, Pinyin=gu3) drum, tambour, kettle

adj. (Trad=鼓, Pinyin=gu3) convex

v. (Simp=鼓, Pinyin=gu3) beat, rouse, drum

n. (Simp=鼓, Pinyin=gu3) drum, tambour, kettle

adj. (Simp=鼓, Pinyin=gu3) convex

¹ a loop (of string, of ribbon); string [ribbon] ties

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² that (little); the same

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[庫] a warehouse; a storehouse; a garage

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[故] the late; the lamented; the deceased

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[稿] a manuscript

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[膏] plaster; paste; ointment

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[苦] pain; suffering; hardship; difficulty; trouble

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[高] (1) height
(2) amount; sum

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[鼓] a drum

yi4 gu3 zuo4 qi4
Plucking up courage with the first drum.
The soldier's morale is at its highest with the first beat of the battle drum. This expression is used to encourage people to continue and finish what they're doing.