Meanings of 捺
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About 捺
Podcast: 捺
Podcast: 捺
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AI Study Notes for 捺
Be cautious not to confuse 捺 with similar characters that involve different actions, like 拍 (pāi, to pat). This word is usually informal and can be used in both everyday conversation and calligraphy contexts. Pay attention to the tone when using it in sentences.
While 捺 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, understanding it can help enhance your writing skills, particularly in calligraphy. Focus on associating it with the action of pressing as you encounter similar verbs in your studies.
Learners often confuse 捺 with the character 撇 (piě), which is a different stroke type. For example, writing 捺 as a straight downward line instead of its concave shape is a common error.
Pronunciation of 捺
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Etymology of 捺
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 捺
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half奈 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 捺? 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 捺?
Decomposition of 捺
Identify the Components
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How to say to press down firmly with the fingers in Chinese
“to press down firmly with the fingers” in Chinese is捺
The character 捺 (nà) means to press down firmly with the fingers, often describing a specific action in writing or drawing. It can also refer to the movement of pressing down in a more general context. This term is often associated with calligraphy and the proper formation of characters.
When to use 捺
Be cautious not to confuse 捺 with similar characters that involve different actions, like 拍 (pāi, to pat). This word is usually informal and can be used in both everyday conversation and calligraphy contexts. Pay attention to the tone when using it in sentences.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 捺 with the character 撇 (piě), which is a different stroke type. For example, writing 捺 as a straight downward line instead of its concave shape is a common error.
Write 捺
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Practice writing 捺 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 捺
捺 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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
尽管已经是老经验了，我还是在四分之一决赛的时候按____不住发了脾气，差点就被罚出场。
For all my experience, I blew a fuse in the quarter-final and could have been sent off.
Example Sentences for 捺 (1)
Word Family of 捺
Compound Meaning
What does 按捺不住 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 捺
捺 specifically refers to a downward-right concave stroke, while other strokes may have different directions or purposes.
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