Meanings of 匐
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Podcast: 匐
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AI Study Notes for 匐
A common mistake is to confuse 匐 with other characters that relate to movement or lying down, such as 躺 (tǎng). Be aware that 匐 is more formal and can imply a sense of submission, making it less suitable for casual conversation. Additionally, remember to pronounce it with the second tone (fú) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding characters.
While not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding 匐 can enhance your comprehension of classical texts and idiomatic expressions. Focus on recognizing its use in literary contexts, as well as its connection to themes of humility and submission found in Chinese culture.
Learners often confuse 匐 with the character 伏 (fú), which means to bend or to lie down without the connotation of submission. For example, saying '我匐下腰' (Wǒ fú xià yāo) to mean 'I bend down' is incorrect; it would be better to use 伏 instead.
Pronunciation of 匐
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Jason Explains 匐 to You
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Etymology of 匐
Phonosemantic compound. 勹 represents the meaning and 畐 represents the sound.
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Origin
匐 = 勹 + 畐. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 匐
Parts
Which of these is part of 匐?
How to say to crawl; to lie prostrate in Chinese
“to crawl; to lie prostrate” in Chinese is匐
The character 匐 (fú) primarily means to crawl or to lie prostrate. It is often used in contexts describing submission or a position of humility, as in bowing down. This character can also imply falling down or collapsing, conveying a sense of vulnerability or defeat.
When to use 匐
A common mistake is to confuse 匐 with other characters that relate to movement or lying down, such as 躺 (tǎng). Be aware that 匐 is more formal and can imply a sense of submission, making it less suitable for casual conversation. Additionally, remember to pronounce it with the second tone (fú) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding characters.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 匐 with the character 伏 (fú), which means to bend or to lie down without the connotation of submission. For example, saying '我匐下腰' (Wǒ fú xià yāo) to mean 'I bend down' is incorrect; it would be better to use 伏 instead.
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Word Family of 匐
Words with 匐
What does 匍匐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 匐
You can use 匐 in a sentence like '他匐在地上表示尊敬' (Tā fú zài dì shàng biǎoshì zūnjìng), meaning 'He crawled on the ground to show respect.'
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