unknown, 17 strokes, radical 马, rank #21016, Very Hard
zhòu(zhou4) T4
1sudden
2unexpected
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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 骤
骤Simplified
驟Traditional
17Strokes
马Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#21016Frequency Rank
Podcast: 骤
Podcast: 骤
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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
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Drill the tone of 骤 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 马 represents the meaning and 聚 represents the sound. Simplified form of 驟.
1The meaning half马 carries the sense.
2The sound half聚 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhorse
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 骤? 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 骤?
Decomposition of 骤
IDS Structure⿰马聚
骤Full Character
=
马Ma3
left
聚ju4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component 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
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Practice writing 骤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
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
Compound Meaning
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.
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