unknown, 17 strokes, radical 马, rank #21016, Very Hard
zhòu(zhou4)zhou T4
1sudden
2unexpected
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
骤(驟)zhòu(zhou4)
The character 骤 (zhòu) describes something that happens suddenly, unexpectedly, or abruptly. It can refer to a rapid change or a swift action, often conveying a sense of surprise or immediacy. Common usage may involve events or reactions that occur without warning.
Strokes17Radical马Frequency#21016DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, sudden changes or surprises are often used as motifs to reflect the unpredictability of life, making 骤 a significant term in expressing dramatic moments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a horse galloping (the radical 骑 'horse' suggests speed) that suddenly takes off without a signal. The sound of the galloping horse mimics the pronunciation 'zhòu', emphasizing its abruptness.
Meanings of 骤
zhòu(zhou4)
1sudden
2unexpected
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 骤 means.
About 骤
骤Simplified
驟Traditional
17Strokes
马Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#21016Frequency Rank
Podcast: 骤
Podcast: 骤
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 骤
Quick Contrast
骤 (zhòu) vs 突 (tū) — use 骤 for sudden changes in state or action, while 突 emphasizes the unexpectedness of an event.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 骤, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). It is often used in more formal contexts, such as literature or news reports, to describe unexpected events. Avoid mixing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Although not in the standard HSK levels, 骤 connects well with other characters relating to suddenness, such as 突 (tū) meaning 'sudden'. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in context and practice forming sentences that express abrupt changes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 骤 with other characters like 走 (zǒu, to walk), leading to incorrect usage in contexts. For example, saying '他骤走' (tā zhòu zǒu) instead of '他走了' (tā zǒu le) can change the meaning from 'he left' to an awkward phrasing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 骤
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 骤 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 骤 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 骤?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 骤 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
骤 = 马 + 聚. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 骤
IDS Structure⿰马聚
骤Full Character
=
马Ma3
left
聚ju4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 骤?
How to say sudden in Chinese
“sudden” in Chinese is骤zhòu
The character 骤 (zhòu) describes something that happens suddenly, unexpectedly, or abruptly. It can refer to a rapid change or a swift action, often conveying a sense of surprise or immediacy. Common usage may involve events or reactions that occur without warning.
When to use 骤
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 骤, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). It is often used in more formal contexts, such as literature or news reports, to describe unexpected events. Avoid mixing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
骤 or something close to it
骤 (zhòu) vs 突 (tū) — use 骤 for sudden changes in state or action, while 突 emphasizes the unexpectedness of an event.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 骤 with other characters like 走 (zǒu, to walk), leading to incorrect usage in contexts. For example, saying '他骤走' (tā zhòu zǒu) instead of '他走了' (tā zǒu le) can change the meaning from 'he left' to an awkward phrasing.
Write 骤
骤
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 骤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 骤
骤 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 7 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.
The current recession was triggered by a slump in consumer spending.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 骤?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Word Family of 骤
Words Containing This Character10
步骤bùzhòustep步驟
骤zhòusudden驟
骤然zhòuránsuddenly驟然
骤降to plummet驟降
骤雨shower驟雨
暴风骤雨bàofēngzhòuyǔhurricane暴風驟雨
骤变abrupt change驟變
急骤rapid急驟
分步骤step by step分步驟
骤死式sudden death style play-off (sporting competition)驟死式
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 骤
What does 步骤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 骤
While both describe suddenness, 骤 often implies an abrupt change in action, like a horse galloping, while 突 can refer to sudden events in a broader sense.
It is more frequently found in literary contexts or news reports rather than casual conversation.
Associate the sound 'zhòu' with the idea of a horse that suddenly gallops away.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 骤?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
