Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
搐chù(chu4)
The character 搐 (chù) primarily means 'cramp' or 'spasm,' often associated with involuntary muscle contractions. It can also imply actions like 'to convulse' or 'to twitch.' This term is used in medical contexts, especially when discussing physical symptoms or conditions involving involuntary movements.
Strokes13Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of muscle spasms or cramps is often tied to the balance of Qi (energy) in the body. Understanding this connection can enhance your comprehension of health-related discussions in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person experiencing a sudden muscle spasm while trying to pull a heavy object. The character 搐 has a hand radical (扌), symbolizing action, and the 'lead' component (𠂇) can remind you of the force needed to pull. Picture the tension in their muscles as they struggle – this visual connects the character with its meaning.
Meanings of 搐
chù(chu4)
1cramp, spasm; to convulse, to twitch
2lead
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 搐
搐Simplified
13Strokes
扌Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 搐
Podcast: 搐
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 搐
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person experiencing a sudden muscle spasm while trying to pull a heavy object. The character 搐 has a hand radical (扌), symbolizing action, and the 'lead' component (𠂇) can remind you of the force needed to pull. Picture the tension in their muscles as they struggle – this visual connects the character with its meaning.
Usage Notes
When using 搐, be aware that it is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding words or mistakenly use it in non-medical contexts. Common collocations include 搐筋 (cramp) or 搐动 (twitching).
HSK Study Tips
Although 搐 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it shares components with characters learned at lower levels. Focus on the hand radical and practice with related words about physical sensations or actions to deepen your understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of muscle spasms or cramps is often tied to the balance of Qi (energy) in the body. Understanding this connection can enhance your comprehension of health-related discussions in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 搐 with 抽 (chōu), which means to draw or pull in a non-medical sense. For example, saying '我感到抽' instead of '我感到搐' can lead to misunderstandings about the physical sensation being described.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 搐
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 搐 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 搐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 搐
搐 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他身体出现了神经性抽____，开始不停地眨眼睛。
He developed a nervous twitch and began to blink constantly.
Example Sentences for 搐 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他身体出现了神经性抽搐，开始不停地眨眼睛。
tā shēn tǐ chū xiàn le shén jīng xìng chōu chù， ， kāi shǐ bù tíng dì zhǎ yǎn。
He developed a nervous twitch and began to blink constantly.
2
那孩子全身抽搐起来。
nà hái zǐ quán shēn chōu chù qǐ lái。
The child went into convulsions.
3
他的手臂和腿突然抽搐起来。
tā de shǒu bì hé tuǐ tū rán chōu chù qǐ lái。
His arms and legs jerked convulsively.
Cultural Notes for 搐
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of muscle spasms or cramps is often tied to the balance of Qi (energy) in the body. Understanding this connection can enhance your comprehension of health-related discussions in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 搐
Words Containing This Character2
抽搐to twitch
搐chùlead
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 抽搐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 搐
The pinyin is chù, with a falling tone.
It is primarily used in medical contexts and might not be common in casual speech.
Synonyms include 抽筋 (chōujīn), which also means cramp.
