Meanings of 曳
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About 曳
Podcast: 曳
Podcast: 曳
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AI Study Notes for 曳
拖 (tuō, to drag) — use 曳 (yè) when emphasizing the effort involved in the dragging action.
Be careful not to confuse 曳 with similar characters that may have related meanings but different uses. It is mostly used in written language and may sound formal in casual conversation. Common collocations include 曳引 (yè yǐn, to tow) and 曳绳 (yè shéng, to drag a rope).
Although 曳 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with other verbs of movement and action at higher levels. Focus on its usage in compound words to understand its context better.
Learners often confuse 曳 with 拖 (tuō), which also means to drag but implies a smoother action without as much force. For example, saying '我用力拖这个箱子' (I drag this suitcase with force) should be corrected to '我用力曳这个箱子' to convey the dragging effort.
Pronunciation of 曳
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Etymology of 曳
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Case file: 曳
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.Decomposition of 曳
Identify the Components
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How to say to tow, to pull, to drag in Chinese
“to tow, to pull, to drag” in Chinese is曳
The character 曳 (yè) refers to the action of dragging or pulling something along, often with effort. It is commonly used in contexts involving transportation, such as towing a vehicle or dragging an object. The nuance implies a sense of exertion or force involved in the action.
When to use 曳
Be careful not to confuse 曳 with similar characters that may have related meanings but different uses. It is mostly used in written language and may sound formal in casual conversation. Common collocations include 曳引 (yè yǐn, to tow) and 曳绳 (yè shéng, to drag a rope).
曳 or something close to it
拖 (tuō, to drag) — use 曳 (yè) when emphasizing the effort involved in the dragging action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 曳 with 拖 (tuō), which also means to drag but implies a smoother action without as much force. For example, saying '我用力拖这个箱子' (I drag this suitcase with force) should be corrected to '我用力曳这个箱子' to convey the dragging effort.
Write 曳
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Practice writing 曳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 曳
曳 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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
树冠在微风中婆娑摇____。
The tops of the trees rippled in the breeze.
Example Sentences for 曳 (5)
Word Family of 曳
Compound Meaning
What does 摇曳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 曳
The correct pronunciation is 'yè' with a falling tone.
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