Meanings of 撓
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About 撓
Podcast: 撓
Podcast: 撓
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AI Study Notes for 撓
搔 (sāo) - use 撓 (náo) when implying a disturbance or yielding, while 搔 (sāo) specifically refers to scratching.
Common mistakes include confusing 撓 (náo) with similar-sounding words or characters that denote different actions, such as 挠 (náo), which also means to scratch but has a more playful connotation. This character is informal and should be avoided in formal writing; use it in casual conversations or contexts.
Although 撓 (náo) is not part of HSK, learners at this level should focus on recognizing its components and how it relates to other action verbs. Understanding its practical uses can help expand vocabulary around actions and interactions.
Learners often mix up 撓 (náo) with 挠 (náo), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我撓我的手' instead of '我挠我的手' when referring to scratching your hand is a common error.
Pronunciation of 撓
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Etymology of 撓
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 尧 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撓.
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 撓
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 尧 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撓.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half堯 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 撓? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Decomposition of 撓
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How to say to yield; to scratch, to disturb in Chinese
“to yield; to scratch, to disturb” in Chinese is撓
The character 撓 (náo) primarily means to scratch or to disturb. It can also imply yielding or giving in, often used in contexts where one is swayed or influenced by something. This word is frequently encountered in informal conversations and can describe both physical actions, like scratching, and metaphorical ones, like yielding to pressure.
When to use 撓
Common mistakes include confusing 撓 (náo) with similar-sounding words or characters that denote different actions, such as 挠 (náo), which also means to scratch but has a more playful connotation. This character is informal and should be avoided in formal writing; use it in casual conversations or contexts.
撓 or something close to it
搔 (sāo) - use 撓 (náo) when implying a disturbance or yielding, while 搔 (sāo) specifically refers to scratching.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 撓 (náo) with 挠 (náo), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我撓我的手' instead of '我挠我的手' when referring to scratching your hand is a common error.
Write 撓
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Practice writing 撓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 撓
Compound Meaning
What does 挠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 撓
While both characters mean to scratch, 撓 (náo) has a broader meaning that can include yielding or disturbance, whereas 挠 (náo) is more playful and specific to scratching.
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