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柝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
柝tuòa watchman's rattlezg, 9 strokes, radical 木
柝tuòwatchman's rattleunknown, 9 strokes, radical 木
tuò(tuo4)tuo T4
  1. 1a watchman's rattle
  2. 2watchman's rattle
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March 24, 2026

柝tuò(tuo4)

The character 柝 (tuò) refers to a traditional watchman's rattle used in ancient China to signal the time or alert others during the night. It is commonly associated with the duties of a night watchman, who would use this instrument to maintain order and safety in the community. The term conveys not just the object but also the role of vigilance and responsibility.

Strokes9Radical木
Cultural note

The watchman's rattle symbolizes the historical role of night watchmen in Chinese cities, especially during dynasties when nighttime safety was a significant concern. This character reflects a time when community vigilance was essential for security.

Memory tip

Imagine a watchman holding a rattle (柝) in one hand, shaking it to make noise and alert everyone. The character has the '木' (wood) radical on the left, hinting that the rattle is made of wood, while the right side '拓' suggests the action of expanding sound, like the noise a rattle makes.

Meanings of 柝

tuò(tuo4)
1a watchman's rattle
2watchman's rattle
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 柝

柝Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 柝

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Podcast: 柝

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AI study notes for 柝

Usage Notes

柝 is a literary or historical term and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, which can lead learners to misunderstand its context. It is best used in formal or poetic language discussing history or traditional practices. Be careful with pronunciation, ensuring the correct tone is used: the fourth tone (tuò).

HSK Study Tips

Although 柝 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can enrich understanding of historical contexts in advanced studies. Learners should focus on related characters that include the '木' radical, as they often pertain to objects made of wood or natural materials.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 柝 with similar sounding words or characters that have different meanings. For instance, mixing it up with '托' (tuō, to entrust) can lead to misunderstanding. Make sure to practice both pronunciation and context to avoid this mistake.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 柝

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Etymology of 柝

Decomposition of 柝

IDS Structure⿰木斥
柝Full character
=
木Mu4
left
斥chi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 柝?

How to say a watchman's rattle in Chinese

“a watchman's rattle” in Chinese is柝tuò

The character 柝 (tuò) refers to a traditional watchman's rattle used in ancient China to signal the time or alert others during the night. It is commonly associated with the duties of a night watchman, who would use this instrument to maintain order and safety in the community. The term conveys not just the object but also the role of vigilance and responsibility.

When to use 柝

柝 is a literary or historical term and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, which can lead learners to misunderstand its context. It is best used in formal or poetic language discussing history or traditional practices. Be careful with pronunciation, ensuring the correct tone is used: the fourth tone (tuò).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 柝 with similar sounding words or characters that have different meanings. For instance, mixing it up with '托' (tuō, to entrust) can lead to misunderstanding. Make sure to practice both pronunciation and context to avoid this mistake.

Write 柝

柝

Practice writing 柝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 柝

Words containing this character1
柝tuòwatchman's rattle

Frequently asked questions about 柝

No, it is primarily a historical term and not commonly used in contemporary conversations.

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