unknown, 14 strokes, radical 疒, rank #36968, Very Hard
瘙
sào
old term for scabies
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 疒, rank #36968, Very Hard
瘙
sào
Taiwan pr. [sao1]
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 疒, rank #36968, Very Hard
sào(sao4) T4
1scabies; to itch
2itch
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March 24, 2026
瘙sào(sao4)
瘙 (sào) refers to an itch or the sensation of itching, commonly associated with skin irritations or conditions like scabies. This term is often used in medical contexts to describe symptoms of various skin ailments, and it can also refer to the condition of having scabies itself.
Strokes14Radical疒Frequency#36968DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, skin conditions are often viewed holistically, with treatments that consider the body's internal balance. The term 瘙 is relevant in discussions about ailments that are prevalent in humid climates, such as Taiwan.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person scratching an itch that is so intense it feels like a 'saw' (sounds like 'sào') going over their skin. The character 瘙 has the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, linking it to health issues, while the right part resembles a person in discomfort, reminding you of the sensation of itching.
Meanings of 瘙
sào(sao4)
1scabies; to itch
2itch
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 瘙
瘙Simplified
14Strokes
疒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 瘙
Podcast: 瘙
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AI Study Notes for 瘙
Quick Contrast
痒 (yǎng, itch) is a more general term for itchiness, while 瘙 (sào) specifically refers to a type of itch often associated with skin conditions.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person scratching an itch that is so intense it feels like a 'saw' (sounds like 'sào') going over their skin. The character 瘙 has the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, linking it to health issues, while the right part resembles a person in discomfort, reminding you of the sensation of itching.
Usage Notes
瘙 is primarily used in medical or formal contexts discussing skin conditions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 痒 (yǎng), which means 'itchy,' but is more general and less specific to conditions like scabies. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing it, as it can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 瘙 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to medical terminology that might appear in advanced studies. Learners should focus on recognizing the character in context, especially in health-related discussions.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, skin conditions are often viewed holistically, with treatments that consider the body's internal balance. The term 瘙 is relevant in discussions about ailments that are prevalent in humid climates, such as Taiwan.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 瘙 with the more general term 痒 (yǎng), which simply means 'itchy.' For example, saying '我有瘙' (wǒ yǒu sào) is incorrect; instead, use '我觉得痒' (wǒ juédé yǎng) to express 'I feel itchy.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瘙
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Grammar Patterns of 瘙
瘙 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
The complaint was vulva white patch with itch for 8 years.
Cultural Notes for 瘙
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, skin conditions are often viewed holistically, with treatments that consider the body's internal balance. The term 瘙 is relevant in discussions about ailments that are prevalent in humid climates, such as Taiwan.
Word Family of 瘙
Words Containing This Character2
瘙sàoitch
瘙痒to itch瘙癢
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 瘙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瘙
It means 'itch' or refers to skin conditions like scabies.
No, it's more common in medical contexts or written texts.
