Meanings of 搡
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About 搡
Podcast: 搡
Podcast: 搡
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AI Study Notes for 搡
推 (tuī) - use 推 when emphasizing a gentle or directed push, while 搡 implies a more forceful or vigorous action.
Be cautious not to confuse 搡 with similar verbs like 推 (tuī), which also means 'to push' but is more general and does not imply the same forceful action. This term is more informal and is often used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. It's commonly paired with objects that can be pushed.
Although 搡 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is useful for students familiar with basic motion verbs. Connecting it with other verbs like 推 (tuī) and 拉 (lā) will help learners understand the nuances of physical actions in Mandarin.
Learners often confuse 搡 with 推 (tuī), leading to sentences like '我推他' (wǒ tuī tā) when they mean to convey a forceful action, which would be better expressed as '我搡他' (wǒ sǎng tā). Remember, 搡 implies more vigorous action.
Pronunciation of 搡
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Etymology of 搡
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 搡
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half桑 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.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 搡
Identify the Components
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How to say to push over; to push back in Chinese
“to push over; to push back” in Chinese is搡
The character 搡 (sǎng) means to push over or push back. It is commonly used in contexts where one physically moves something or someone with force, often implying a sudden or vigorous action. This term can also describe more figurative uses, such as pushing back against an idea or proposal.
When to use 搡
Be cautious not to confuse 搡 with similar verbs like 推 (tuī), which also means 'to push' but is more general and does not imply the same forceful action. This term is more informal and is often used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. It's commonly paired with objects that can be pushed.
搡 or something close to it
推 (tuī) - use 推 when emphasizing a gentle or directed push, while 搡 implies a more forceful or vigorous action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 搡 with 推 (tuī), leading to sentences like '我推他' (wǒ tuī tā) when they mean to convey a forceful action, which would be better expressed as '我搡他' (wǒ sǎng tā). Remember, 搡 implies more vigorous action.
Write 搡
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Practice writing 搡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 搡
搡 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
他被人粗鲁地推____到了一边。
He had to be bundled unceremoniously out of the way.
Example Sentences for 搡 (5)
Word Family of 搡
Compound Meaning
What does 搡 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 搡
No, 搡 is typically used in informal contexts and conversations.
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