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遏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
遏èto restrainv, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #36029, Very Hard
遏èto checkv, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #36029, Very Hard
遏èto hold backv, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #36029, Very Hard
遏èto curb, to check, to stop, to suppressv, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #36029, Very Hard
è(e4)e T4
  1. 1to restrain
  2. 2to check
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March 24, 2026

遏è(e4)

The character 遏 (è) means to restrain or curb something. It is often used in contexts where one needs to hold back emotions, actions, or negative influences. This term can convey a sense of controlling or suppressing forces that are typically difficult to manage.

Strokes12Radical辶Frequency#36029DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of restraint is often tied to values of self-control and harmony. The idea of suppressing one's desires or emotions is prevalent in traditional teachings, such as Confucianism, which emphasizes the importance of moderation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a roadblock (the radical '辶' represents movement) that stops a runaway train (representing unchecked emotions). This visual connects the idea of stopping something in its tracks with the pronunciation 'è', making it easier to remember that 遏 means to restrain or curb.

Meanings of 遏

è(e4)
1to restrain
2to check
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 遏 means.

About 遏

遏Simplified
12Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#36029Frequency Rank

Podcast: 遏

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Podcast: 遏

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AI Study Notes for 遏

Quick Contrast

抑 (yì) - use 遏 (è) when emphasizing restraint against external forces;抑 (yì) focuses more on suppressing feelings or actions internally.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the context in which you use 遏; it is generally more formal and can convey strong connotations of control. Common collocations include '遏制' (yùzhì - to restrain or control) and '遏止' (èzhǐ - to stop). Avoid confusing it with '压制' (yāzhì - to suppress), which has a different nuance.

HSK Study Tips

Although 遏 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for advanced learners to understand the nuances of restraint. Students should focus on recognizing how this word connects to emotions and actions that require control, similar to other verbs of action in higher HSK levels.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 遏 with similar verbs like '压制' (yāzhì - suppress), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我想要遏这个情绪' (I want to restrain this emotion) is correct, but using '压制' in the same context shifts the meaning to more aggressive suppression.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 遏

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Etymology of 遏

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 曷 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)辶
+
Phonetic (sound)曷
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

遏 = 辶 + 曷. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 遏

IDS Structure⿺辶曷
遏Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
曷he2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 遏?

How to say to restrain in Chinese

“to restrain” in Chinese is遏è

The character 遏 (è) means to restrain or curb something. It is often used in contexts where one needs to hold back emotions, actions, or negative influences. This term can convey a sense of controlling or suppressing forces that are typically difficult to manage.

When to use 遏

Be cautious with the context in which you use 遏; it is generally more formal and can convey strong connotations of control. Common collocations include '遏制' (yùzhì - to restrain or control) and '遏止' (èzhǐ - to stop). Avoid confusing it with '压制' (yāzhì - to suppress), which has a different nuance.

遏 or something close to it

抑 (yì) - use 遏 (è) when emphasizing restraint against external forces;抑 (yì) focuses more on suppressing feelings or actions internally.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 遏 with similar verbs like '压制' (yāzhì - suppress), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我想要遏这个情绪' (I want to restrain this emotion) is correct, but using '压制' in the same context shifts the meaning to more aggressive suppression.

Write 遏

遏

Practice writing 遏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 遏

遏 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 4 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 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

门罗正在打电话,怒不可____地说着她被这几个兄弟虐待的事。

Monroe was on the phone, raging about her mistreatment by the brothers.

Example Sentences for 遏 (3)

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1
门罗正在打电话,怒不可遏地说着她被这几个兄弟虐待的事。

mén luó zhèng zài dǎ diàn huà, , nù bù kě è dì shuō zháo tā bèi zhè jī gè xiōng dì nüè dài de。

Monroe was on the phone, raging about her mistreatment by the brothers.
2
她受了骗,怒不可遏。

tā shòu le piàn, , nù bù kě。

She was absolutely furious at having been deceived.
3
当他听到她要退学时, 他简直是怒不可遏.

dāng tā tīng dào tā yào tuì xué shí, , tā jiǎn zhí shì nù bù kě.

When he heard she was going to quIt'school, he simply blew up.

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Word Family of 遏

Words Containing This Character7
遏制èzhìto check
怒不可遏unable to restrain one's anger (idiom); in a towering rage
遏èto check
遏止to hold back
阻遏to impede
遏阻to stop
遏抑to suppress
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 遏

What does 遏制 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 遏

Synonyms include '抑制' (yìzhì - to inhibit), '限制' (xiànzhì - to limit), and '控制' (kòngzhì - to control).

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