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厄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
厄
è
adversity, difficulty, distress
ns, 4 strokes, radical 厂, rank #3986, Hard
厄
è
distressed
unknown, 4 strokes, radical 厂, rank #3986, Hard
è(e4)e T4
1adversity, difficulty, distress
2distressed
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March 24, 2026
厄è(e4)
The character 厄 (è) refers to adversity, difficulty, or distress. It is commonly used to describe situations that are challenging or troublesome, often with a connotation of being trapped or hindered by unfortunate circumstances.
Strokes4Radical厂Frequency#3986DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, facing adversity is often seen as a test of character and resilience, reflected in sayings that emphasize the importance of overcoming hardship.
Memory tip
Imagine a large rock (the radical 厂) blocking a path, representing a difficult obstacle. The sound 'è' can remind you of the distressing sound someone might make when they encounter a significant challenge.
Meanings of 厄
è(e4)
1adversity, difficulty, distress
2distressed
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 厄 means.
About 厄
厄Simplified
4Strokes
厂Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 厄
Podcast: 厄
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AI study notes for 厄
Quick Contrast
困 (kùn) - use 厄 (è) when emphasizing the aspect of adversity caused by external circumstances, while 困 (kùn) focuses more on being trapped or confined physically or metaphorically.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 厄 with similar characters like 难 (nán), which also means difficulty but in a broader sense. This character is used more in literary or formal contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 厄 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be useful for learners at HSK Level 5 or higher who are exploring more nuanced expressions of emotion and adversity. Focus on recognizing it in literary texts and understanding its implications in context.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 厄 with 悲 (bēi), which means sadness, leading to incorrect interpretations of phrases. For example, saying '我很厄' (Wǒ hěn è) instead of '我很悲' (Wǒ hěn bēi) when expressing sadness is a common error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 厄
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How to say adversity, difficulty, distress in Chinese
“adversity, difficulty, distress” in Chinese is厄è
The character 厄 (è) refers to adversity, difficulty, or distress. It is commonly used to describe situations that are challenging or troublesome, often with a connotation of being trapped or hindered by unfortunate circumstances.
When to use 厄
Learners often confuse 厄 with similar characters like 难 (nán), which also means difficulty but in a broader sense. This character is used more in literary or formal contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
厄 or something close to it
困 (kùn) - use 厄 (è) when emphasizing the aspect of adversity caused by external circumstances, while 困 (kùn) focuses more on being trapped or confined physically or metaphorically.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 厄 with 悲 (bēi), which means sadness, leading to incorrect interpretations of phrases. For example, saying '我很厄' (Wǒ hěn è) instead of '我很悲' (Wǒ hěn bēi) when expressing sadness is a common error.
Write 厄
厄
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Practice writing 厄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 厄
厄 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
侍者把他们点的餐端了过来，格雷____姆签了单。
The waiter returned with their order and Graham signed the bill.
Example sentences for 厄 (10)
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1
侍者把他们点的餐端了过来，格雷厄姆签了单。
shì zhě bǎ tāmen diǎn de cān duān le guòlái， gé léi è mǔ qiān le dān。
The waiter returned with their order and Graham signed the bill.
2
他轻松战胜了星期六击败厄尼·埃尔斯的加西亚。
tā qīngsōng zhànshèng le xīngqī liù jībài è ní· āi ěr Sī de jiā xī yà。
He easily overcame Garcia, Saturday's conqueror of Ernie Els.
