Meanings of 刁
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Podcast: 刁
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AI Study Notes for 刁
狡 (jiǎo) - use 刁 (diāo) for a more negative connotation of cunningness, while 狡 (jiǎo) suggests cleverness without the same level of deceit.
Imagine a sly fox (representing the meaning of 'tricky') holding a sharp knife (the radical 刀, which means 'knife' and is part of 刁). The fox is very cunning, using its craftiness to outsmart others, helping you remember both the sound 'diāo' and the meaning of the character.
Be cautious with the tone, as the pronunciation 'diāo' has a high level tone, which can be mistaken for other characters. It's mostly used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing or conversations. Common collocations include '刁钻' (diāo zuān), meaning 'sly and tricky'.
While 刁 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of more complex vocabulary at higher levels. Pay attention to other words with similar meanings or connotations, such as 狡猾 (jiǎo huá) for 'cunning'.
The concept of being 'tricky' or 'sly' is often viewed negatively in Chinese culture, reflecting values of honesty and integrity. However, cunning behavior is sometimes admired in competitive contexts, such as business or strategy games.
Learners often confuse 刁 (diāo) with similar-sounding characters like 调 (tiáo), which means 'to adjust'. A common mistake is using '调' when describing someone as tricky, which would be incorrect. Remember, 'diāo' is the right term for cunning behavior.
Pronunciation of 刁
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Etymology of 刁
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Practice writing 刁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 刁
刁 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他睿智____钻，评论尖刻，对任何采访他的人而言都是梦魇。
His abrasive wit and caustic comments were an interviewer's nightmare.
Example Sentences for 刁 (3)
Cultural Notes for 刁
The concept of being 'tricky' or 'sly' is often viewed negatively in Chinese culture, reflecting values of honesty and integrity. However, cunning behavior is sometimes admired in competitive contexts, such as business or strategy games.
Word Family of 刁
Compound Meaning
What does 刁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 刁
Yes, 刁 (Diao) is a recognized surname in China, though it is not among the most common surnames.
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