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March 24, 2026
牴dǐ(di3)
The character 牴 (dǐ) primarily means 'to butt' or 'to gore', often used in contexts involving animals, such as rams or bulls that use their horns to push against something. It can also imply a sense of resistance or opposition, making it useful in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as resisting an idea or force.
Strokes9Radical牛Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, animals like rams are often used as symbols of stubbornness and determination, which aligns with the meaning of 牴 as a form of resistance. This character can evoke imagery related to these cultural values.
Memory Tip
Imagine a ram (which butts with its horns) named 'DǏ' that always refuses to back down. The character 牴 has the radical for 'animal' (犭) on the left, reminding you of its connection to animals that butt heads.
Meanings of 牴
dǐ(di3)
1to butt, to gore; to resist
2resist
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 牴
牴Simplified
9Strokes
牛Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 牴
Podcast: 牴
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AI Study Notes for 牴
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a ram (which butts with its horns) named 'DǏ' that always refuses to back down. The character 牴 has the radical for 'animal' (犭) on the left, reminding you of its connection to animals that butt heads.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 牴 has a falling tone (dǐ), which can easily be confused with other similar-sounding words. It is more commonly used in literary or formal contexts, so in everyday speech, alternatives like 抵抗 (dǐkàng) for 'to resist' may be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
While 牴 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it can be connected to other words related to resistance, such as 抵 (dǐ) meaning 'to resist' or 'to oppose'. Focus on recognizing its usage in literature or specific phrases.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, animals like rams are often used as symbols of stubbornness and determination, which aligns with the meaning of 牴 as a form of resistance. This character can evoke imagery related to these cultural values.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 牴 with 抵 (dǐ), which also means 'to resist'. For example, using 牴 when you mean to say 'resist an idea' is incorrect; instead, use 抵抗 (dǐkàng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牴
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Cultural Notes for 牴
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, animals like rams are often used as symbols of stubbornness and determination, which aligns with the meaning of 牴 as a form of resistance. This character can evoke imagery related to these cultural values.
Word Family of 牴
Words Containing This Character1
牴dǐto butt
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 牴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 牴
You might encounter 牴 in phrases like 牴争 (dǐzhēng), meaning 'to resist or compete'. It’s less common in everyday speech.
Yes, but it is mainly found in literary texts or formal writing rather than in everyday conversation.
The correct pronunciation is dǐ, with a falling tone, which is crucial to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
