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March 24, 2026
沮jǔ(ju3)
The character 沮 (jǔ) conveys the idea of stopping or preventing something, often associated with feelings of defeat or dejection. It is commonly used in contexts where one feels thwarted or hindered, whether in pursuits or emotional states. Its nuances include a sense of discouragement as well as the act of blocking or destroying an intent.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#98939DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and philosophy, feelings of dejection and how to cope with them are common themes, particularly in classical poetry where the beauty of nature often contrasts with human sorrow. Understanding this character can help learners appreciate the depth of emotional expression in Chinese texts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dam (the 'water' radical 氵) that is supposed to hold back a rushing river, but instead, it is causing dejection as it fails and floods the land. The character 沮 visually resembles a dam holding back emotions, connecting the sound 'jǔ' with the image of something being stopped or blocked.
Meanings of 沮
jǔ(ju3)
1to destroy
2to stop
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 沮
沮Simplified
8Strokes
氵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#65535Frequency Rank
Podcast: 沮
Podcast: 沮
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AI Study Notes for 沮
Quick Contrast
沮 (jǔ) vs 挫 (cuò) — choose 沮 when emphasizing feelings of defeat or dejection, while 挫 focuses more on the act of thwarting or frustrating efforts.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 沮 with similar-sounding words like 居 (jū) which means to reside. This character is more formal and typically found in written contexts rather than everyday speech. Common collocations include phrases like '沮丧' (jǔsàng), meaning dejected or depressed.
HSK Study Tips
Although 沮 is not included in the HSK levels, it is useful for advanced learners to express complex emotions. It connects well with words related to feelings and emotional states, so students should focus on understanding its usage in phrases that describe emotional struggles or setbacks.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 沮 as 'jū', confusing it with the character for reside. Additionally, some might incorrectly use it in contexts where a more positive or neutral word is appropriate, such as saying '我感到沮' instead of '我感到沮丧'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 沮
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Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound.
1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
2The sound half且 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 沮? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 沮?
Decomposition of 沮
IDS Structure⿰氵且
沮Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
且qie3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 沮?
How to say to destroy in Chinese
“to destroy” in Chinese is沮jǔ
The character 沮 (jǔ) conveys the idea of stopping or preventing something, often associated with feelings of defeat or dejection. It is commonly used in contexts where one feels thwarted or hindered, whether in pursuits or emotional states. Its nuances include a sense of discouragement as well as the act of blocking or destroying an intent.
When to use 沮
Be cautious not to confuse 沮 with similar-sounding words like 居 (jū) which means to reside. This character is more formal and typically found in written contexts rather than everyday speech. Common collocations include phrases like '沮丧' (jǔsàng), meaning dejected or depressed.
沮 or something close to it
沮 (jǔ) vs 挫 (cuò) — choose 沮 when emphasizing feelings of defeat or dejection, while 挫 focuses more on the act of thwarting or frustrating efforts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 沮 as 'jū', confusing it with the character for reside. Additionally, some might incorrectly use it in contexts where a more positive or neutral word is appropriate, such as saying '我感到沮' instead of '我感到沮丧'.
Write 沮
沮
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Grammar Patterns of 沮
沮 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.
