Meanings of 踌
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About 踌
Podcast: 踌
Podcast: 踌
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AI Study Notes for 踌
Learners often confuse 踌 with similar characters like 忧 (yōu, worry) due to their emotional connotations. It is generally used in more literary or formal contexts, so be cautious with its application in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 踌躇 (chóuchú, to hesitate).
Although 踌 is not in the standard HSK levels, it connects with HSK 4 vocabulary related to feelings and actions. Focus on understanding the nuances of hesitation and self-satisfaction as they relate to other emotional expressions at this level.
A frequent mistake is using 踌 in contexts where more straightforward terms like 不确定 (bùquèdìng, uncertain) would be appropriate. For example, saying '我踌 (wǒ chóu)' instead of '我不确定 (wǒ bùquèdìng)' when expressing uncertainty.
Pronunciation of 踌
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Etymology of 踌
Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 寿 represents the sound. Simplified form of 躊.
foot
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 踌
Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 寿 represents the sound. Simplified form of 躊.
- 1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half寿 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayfoot
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 踌? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 踌
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How to say to falter, to hesitate; smug, self-satisfied in Chinese
“to falter, to hesitate; smug, self-satisfied” in Chinese is踌
The character 踌 (chóu) primarily means to falter or hesitate, often indicating a sense of self-satisfaction or smugness. It can also convey the idea of pacing back and forth, reflecting indecision or contemplation in various contexts.
When to use 踌
Learners often confuse 踌 with similar characters like 忧 (yōu, worry) due to their emotional connotations. It is generally used in more literary or formal contexts, so be cautious with its application in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 踌躇 (chóuchú, to hesitate).
What learners get wrong
A frequent mistake is using 踌 in contexts where more straightforward terms like 不确定 (bùquèdìng, uncertain) would be appropriate. For example, saying '我踌 (wǒ chóu)' instead of '我不确定 (wǒ bùquèdìng)' when expressing uncertainty.
Write 踌
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Practice writing 踌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 踌
踌 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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
菲尔信心十足地走向前去,本却____躇不定.
Phil walked forward confidently but something held Ben back.
Example Sentences for 踌 (2)
Word Family of 踌
Compound Meaning
What does 踌躇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 踌
The pronunciation is 'chóu', with a rising tone, similar to how you might say 'show' in English but with an upward inflection.
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