Meanings of 懦
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Podcast: 懦
Podcast: 懦
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AI Study Notes for 懦
懦 (nuò) vs 胆小 (dǎn xiǎo) — use 懦 when emphasizing a broader sense of cowardice or lack of courage, while 胆小 specifically refers to being timid or fearful in specific situations.
Be cautious not to confuse 懦 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is generally used in informal contexts, but can also appear in literature to describe characters. Common collocations include 懦弱 (nuòruò) meaning 'weak and timid.'
Although 懦 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK Level 4 words like 胆小 (dǎnxiǎo, timid) and 怯懦 (qiènùo, cowardly). Students should focus on the emotional implications of words, as understanding nuance is key at this level.
Learners often mix up 懦 with 忍 (rěn), which means to endure. For example, saying '他是个忍的人' (tā shì gè rěn de rén) is incorrect; it should be '他是个懦的人' (tā shì gè nuò de rén) to convey cowardice.
Pronunciation of 懦
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 懦
Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 需 represents the sound.
heart
Origin
懦 = 忄 + 需. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 懦
Parts
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How to say weak, timid, cowardly in Chinese
“weak, timid, cowardly” in Chinese is懦
The character 懦 (nuò) conveys a sense of weakness or timidity, often used to describe someone who is cowardly or lacks courage. In various contexts, it can also imply a lack of decisiveness or mental strength, commonly seen in discussions about personal traits or behaviors.
When to use 懦
Be cautious not to confuse 懦 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is generally used in informal contexts, but can also appear in literature to describe characters. Common collocations include 懦弱 (nuòruò) meaning 'weak and timid.'
懦 or something close to it
懦 (nuò) vs 胆小 (dǎn xiǎo) — use 懦 when emphasizing a broader sense of cowardice or lack of courage, while 胆小 specifically refers to being timid or fearful in specific situations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 懦 with 忍 (rěn), which means to endure. For example, saying '他是个忍的人' (tā shì gè rěn de rén) is incorrect; it should be '他是个懦的人' (tā shì gè nuò de rén) to convey cowardice.
Write 懦
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Practice writing 懦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 懦
懦 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
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马克非常直率而严肃地说：“你是个____夫。”
"You're a coward," Mark said very plainly and soberly.
Example Sentences for 懦 (3)
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Word Family of 懦
Words with 懦
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Frequently Asked Questions about 懦
The pinyin for 懦 is 'nuò', with a falling tone, similar to the sound of 'no' in English.
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