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March 24, 2026
踌(躊)chóu(chou2)
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.
Strokes14Radical足Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of self-satisfaction can be linked to the philosophical ideas of balance and restraint, where excessive pride may lead to downfall. 踌 can symbolize the internal conflict between confidence and the fear of making mistakes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (the foot radical '足' in 踌) pacing back and forth, hesitating to take a step forward because they feel smug about their situation. The '足' (foot) suggests movement, while the overall character evokes the feeling of hesitation.
Meanings of 踌
chóu(chou2)
1to falter, to hesitate; smug, self-satisfied
2to pace back and forth
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 踌
踌Simplified
躊Traditional
14Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 踌
Podcast: 踌
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AI Study Notes for 踌
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (the foot radical '足' in 踌) pacing back and forth, hesitating to take a step forward because they feel smug about their situation. The '足' (foot) suggests movement, while the overall character evokes the feeling of hesitation.
Usage Notes
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).
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of self-satisfaction can be linked to the philosophical ideas of balance and restraint, where excessive pride may lead to downfall. 踌 can symbolize the internal conflict between confidence and the fear of making mistakes.
Common Mistakes
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 踌
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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.
Exercise 1 of 2
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)
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1
菲尔信心十足地走向前去,本却踌躇不定.
fēi ěr xìn xīn shí zú dì zǒu xiàng qián qù, , běn què chóu chú bù.
Phil walked forward confidently but something held Ben back.
Chris is so ambitious, so determined to do it all.
Cultural Notes for 踌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of self-satisfaction can be linked to the philosophical ideas of balance and restraint, where excessive pride may lead to downfall. 踌 can symbolize the internal conflict between confidence and the fear of making mistakes.
Word Family of 踌
Words Containing This Character4
踌躇to hesitate躊躇
踌躇满志complacent躊躇滿志
踌chóuto waver躊
踌躇不决to hesitate躊躇不決
Exercise 1 of 4
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.
While it can be understood, it's more commonly found in written or formal contexts, so using simpler terms for hesitation might be more effective in casual conversations.
Synonyms include 踌躇 (chóuchú, hesitate) and 犹豫 (yóuyù, waver).
