Meanings of 卧
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Podcast: 卧
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AI Study Notes for 卧
卧 (wò) vs 躺 (tǎng) — use 卧 for a more general or formal context of lying down, while 躺 emphasizes a relaxed or informal posture.
Be careful not to confuse 卧 with other similar-sounding words like '我' (wǒ, I). 卧 is more commonly used in a physical context, while 我 refers to the first-person pronoun. It is generally used in both formal and informal settings, but specific phrases like '卧病' (wò bìng, to be bedridden) may have a more formal tone.
While 卧 is not included in the official HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK Level 3 or above, as it connects to verbs of position and movement. Focus on using it in phrases related to resting and sleeping to contextualize its usage.
Learners often mistakenly use 卧 in contexts where another verb like '躺' (tǎng, to recline) is more appropriate. For example, saying '我卧在沙发上' (Wǒ wò zài shāfā shàng) should be corrected to '我躺在沙发上' (Wǒ tǎng zài shāfā shàng).
Pronunciation of 卧
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Jason Explains 卧 to You
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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.
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Etymology of 卧
Simplified form of 臥. Origin unclear.
A person 卜 (altered form of 人) laying in bed 臣
Origin
What kind of character is 卧?
Decomposition of 卧
Parts
Which of these is part of 卧?
How to say to lie in Chinese
“to lie” in Chinese is卧
The character 卧 (wò) primarily means 'to lie down' or 'to crouch.' It is commonly used in contexts related to resting, sleeping, or taking a position close to the ground, such as in the phrase '卧床' (wò chuáng), meaning 'to lie in bed.' The nuance of this word suggests a position of relaxation or submission.
When to use 卧
Be careful not to confuse 卧 with other similar-sounding words like '我' (wǒ, I). 卧 is more commonly used in a physical context, while 我 refers to the first-person pronoun. It is generally used in both formal and informal settings, but specific phrases like '卧病' (wò bìng, to be bedridden) may have a more formal tone.
卧 or something close to it
卧 (wò) vs 躺 (tǎng) — use 卧 for a more general or formal context of lying down, while 躺 emphasizes a relaxed or informal posture.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 卧 in contexts where another verb like '躺' (tǎng, to recline) is more appropriate. For example, saying '我卧在沙发上' (Wǒ wò zài shāfā shàng) should be corrected to '我躺在沙发上' (Wǒ tǎng zài shāfā shàng).
Write 卧
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Practice writing 卧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 卧
卧 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
双____室的公寓每月房租是953.33英镑。
The monthly rent for a two-bedroom flat would be £
Common Confusions with 卧
Both are verbs describing positions, but '卧' means to lie down while '坐' means to sit.
Which one
Which one means “to lie”?
Usage Notes for 卧
'卧' is often used in contexts involving rest or positioning, and can denote both action and state.
他在床上卧着。
He is lying on the bed.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他在床上____着。
He is lying on the bed.
Example Sentences for 卧 (10)
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Word Family of 卧
Words with 卧
What does 卧室 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 卧
You can say '我喜欢卧在沙发上看书' (Wǒ xǐhuān wò zài shāfā shàng kàn shū), meaning 'I like to lie on the sofa and read.'
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