unknown, 9 strokes, radical 勹, rank #67221, Very Hard
匍
pú
lie prostrate
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 勹, rank #67221, Very Hard
pú(pu2) T2
1to crawl; to lie prostrate
2crawl
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March 24, 2026
匍pú(pu2)
The character 匍 (pú) primarily means 'to crawl' or 'to lie prostrate.' It describes a low, horizontal position often associated with animals or individuals moving on their hands and knees. This action can imply submission or humility in certain contexts.
Strokes9Radical勹Frequency#67221DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, lying prostrate can symbolize respect and submission, especially in rituals and formal greetings, reflecting the importance of hierarchy and respect in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a puppy (the sound 'pú' resembles 'puppy') crawling on the ground, belly touching the floor. The character 匍 has the radical for 'dirt' (土) at the bottom, suggesting it is close to the ground, which reinforces the idea of crawling.
Meanings of 匍
pú(pu2)
1to crawl; to lie prostrate
2crawl
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 匍
匍Simplified
9Strokes
勹Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 匍
Podcast: 匍
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AI Study Notes for 匍
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a puppy (the sound 'pú' resembles 'puppy') crawling on the ground, belly touching the floor. The character 匍 has the radical for 'dirt' (土) at the bottom, suggesting it is close to the ground, which reinforces the idea of crawling.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 匍 with similar characters like 趴 (pā), which also means to lie down but usually implies a more relaxed position. This character is generally used in informal contexts, so be mindful of the setting when using it.
HSK Study Tips
Although 匍 is not an HSK character, it can connect to HSK Level 3 verbs related to movement, such as 跑 (pǎo - to run) and走 (zǒu - to walk). Students should focus on the physical actions these verbs describe to enhance their vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, lying prostrate can symbolize respect and submission, especially in rituals and formal greetings, reflecting the importance of hierarchy and respect in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 匍 with the character 爬 (pá). For instance, saying '我匍去商店' instead of '我爬去商店' (I crawl to the store) is incorrect, as crawling is usually not the intended action in this context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 匍
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Cultural Notes for 匍
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, lying prostrate can symbolize respect and submission, especially in rituals and formal greetings, reflecting the importance of hierarchy and respect in social interactions.
Word Family of 匍
Words Containing This Character3
匍匐to crawl
匍púcrawl
匍匐茎(botany) stolon匍匐莖
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 匍匐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 匍
It is not commonly used in everyday speech; it may appear more in literary contexts or descriptions.
Yes, related words include 爬 (pá - to climb) and 趴 (pā - to lie on one's stomach).
Standing up or walking, which could be represented by 站 (zhàn - to stand) or 走 (zǒu - to walk).
