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March 24, 2026
遭zāo(zao1)
The character 遭 (zāo) primarily means to encounter something, often of an unfortunate nature. It is commonly used in contexts where someone meets with misfortune or negative events, making it synonymous with encountering difficulties or bad luck.
Strokes14Radical辶Frequency#3002DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of encountering misfortune is often discussed in the context of fate and destiny, with phrases like '遭遇不幸' (zāo yù bù xìng) reflecting a cultural belief in the unpredictability of life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person walking down a road and suddenly遭 (zāo)ing a storm. The character's left side (辶) represents movement, while the right side (遭) suggests an event or encounter, reinforcing the idea of coming across something unexpected.
Meanings of 遭
zāo(zao1)
1to meet by chance (usually with misfortune)
2classifier for events: time, turn, incident
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 遭
遭Simplified
14Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3002Frequency Rank
Podcast: 遭
Podcast: 遭
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AI Study Notes for 遭
Quick Contrast
遭 (zāo) vs 遇 (yù) — use 遭 when emphasizing misfortune, while 遇 is neutral and can refer to any encounter.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 遭 (zāo) with similar-sounding words that have neutral or positive meanings. It's typically used in informal contexts to describe misfortune, often paired with descriptors like '遇到' (yù dào, to meet) to enhance the expression. Remember to use the correct tone – it can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 遭 (zāo) is not classified under a specific HSK level, learners should focus on its use in phrases describing unfortunate encounters. Connecting it with words like '遇' (yù) will help reinforce understanding at the intermediate level.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 遭 in contexts that imply positive encounters, such as saying '我遭遇了好运' (Wǒ zāo yù le hǎo yùn, I encountered good luck), which should instead use '遇到' (yù dào).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 遭
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Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 曹 represents the sound.
1The meaning half辶 carries the sense.
2The sound half曹 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywalk
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 遭? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 遭?
Decomposition of 遭
IDS Structure⿺辶曹
遭Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
曹Cao2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 遭?
How to say to meet by chance (usually with misfortune) in Chinese
“to meet by chance (usually with misfortune)” in Chinese is遭zāo
The character 遭 (zāo) primarily means to encounter something, often of an unfortunate nature. It is commonly used in contexts where someone meets with misfortune or negative events, making it synonymous with encountering difficulties or bad luck.
When to use 遭
Be careful not to confuse 遭 (zāo) with similar-sounding words that have neutral or positive meanings. It's typically used in informal contexts to describe misfortune, often paired with descriptors like '遇到' (yù dào, to meet) to enhance the expression. Remember to use the correct tone – it can change the meaning.
遭 or something close to it
遭 (zāo) vs 遇 (yù) — use 遭 when emphasizing misfortune, while 遇 is neutral and can refer to any encounter.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 遭 in contexts that imply positive encounters, such as saying '我遭遇了好运' (Wǒ zāo yù le hǎo yùn, I encountered good luck), which should instead use '遇到' (yù dào).
Write 遭
遭
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Practice writing 遭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 遭
遭 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 4
Complete the Sentence
面对____征服的悲惨命运，他们保持了乐观的态度。
They have maintained their optimism in the face of desolating subjugation.
Example Sentences for 遭 (10)
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1
面对遭征服的悲惨命运，他们保持了乐观的态度。
miàn duì zāo zhēng fú de bēi cǎn mìng yùn， ， tā mén bǎo chí le lè guān de tài。
They have maintained their optimism in the face of desolating subjugation.
