Meanings of 卒
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About 卒
Podcast: 卒
Podcast: 卒
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AI Study Notes for 卒
Be cautious of using 卒 in informal contexts, as it may sound too formal or dramatic. Common collocations include 卒业 (graduation) and 卒子 (pawn in chess). Ensure to distinguish between its meanings to avoid confusion in conversation.
Although 卒 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to the theme of military and rank found in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on its various meanings and contexts to enhance understanding of formal and literary Chinese.
Learners often confuse 卒 with its variant pronunciations and meanings. For example, using 卒 to mean 'suddenly' instead of 猝 is incorrect; remember that 卒 is specifically related to soldiers and finality.
Pronunciation of 卒
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Etymology of 卒
A cross shape (十) added to clothes (衣). Origin unclear.
A soldier in armor
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 卒
A cross shape (十) added to clothes (衣). Origin unclear.
- 1The giveawayA soldier in armor
- 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 卒? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 卒?
Decomposition of 卒
Identify the Components
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How to say soldier; servant; at last, finally in Chinese
“soldier; servant; at last, finally” in Chinese is卒
The character 卒 (cù) primarily refers to a soldier or servant and can also mean 'finally' or 'at last' in specific contexts. It is used in historical texts to denote a military rank or position, and in modern contexts, it can refer to a pawn in Chinese chess. The nuance of the word can shift depending on its usage, particularly in literary or formal settings.
When to use 卒
Be cautious of using 卒 in informal contexts, as it may sound too formal or dramatic. Common collocations include 卒业 (graduation) and 卒子 (pawn in chess). Ensure to distinguish between its meanings to avoid confusion in conversation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 卒 with its variant pronunciations and meanings. For example, using 卒 to mean 'suddenly' instead of 猝 is incorrect; remember that 卒 is specifically related to soldiers and finality.
Write 卒
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Practice writing 卒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 卒
卒 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 4 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
他不仅仅发号施令，还身先士____参加了几次激战。
He didn't just command. He personally fought in several heavy battles.
Example Sentences for 卒 (1)
Word Family of 卒
Compound Meaning
What does 卒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 卒
In a military context, 卒 refers to a soldier, indicating a rank or position within an army.
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