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March 24, 2026
咄duō(duo1)
The character 咄 (duō) is an interjection used to express disapproval or anger, similar to saying 'tut!' in English. It can convey annoyance or surprise in response to a situation, often used in informal contexts. While not commonly used in contemporary Mandarin, it appears more in literature or historical texts.
Strokes8Radical口Frequency#41493DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, expressions of disapproval or anger have historical significance in literature and drama, often reflecting societal norms of respect and hierarchy. The interjection 咄 can represent a cultural response to perceived disrespect or foolishness in a conversation.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone angrily exclaiming 'duō!' while shaking their head. The character 咄 resembles a mouth (口) that is about to shout or cry out, representing the vocal expression of disapproval. The sound 'duō' can be associated with the idea of a loud cry or outburst.
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AI Study Notes for 咄
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine someone angrily exclaiming 'duō!' while shaking their head. The character 咄 resembles a mouth (口) that is about to shout or cry out, representing the vocal expression of disapproval. The sound 'duō' can be associated with the idea of a loud cry or outburst.
Usage Notes
Due to its interjection nature, 咄 is more common in informal speech and literature rather than in formal settings. A common mistake is using it in serious discussions, where it might come off as disrespectful. Be mindful of the tone; the pronunciation should be clear and emphatic to convey the intended emotion.
HSK Study Tips
As this character is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it’s useful for learners to focus on the context in which it appears in literature or dialogues. Understanding its emotional nuance will enhance your comprehension of characters at higher levels, especially those that express feelings.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, expressions of disapproval or anger have historical significance in literature and drama, often reflecting societal norms of respect and hierarchy. The interjection 咄 can represent a cultural response to perceived disrespect or foolishness in a conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misplace 咄 in formal contexts, mistakenly using it to express frustration in business or serious discussions. It's important to reserve this term for informal situations to avoid sounding disrespectful.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咄
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Grammar Patterns of 咄
咄 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他____咄逼人地强迫你了解他的看法。
His relentless aggression bludgeons you into seeing his point.
Example Sentences for 咄 (5)
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1
他咄咄逼人地强迫你了解他的看法。
tā duō duō bī rén dì qiáng pò nǐ le jiě tā de kàn fǎ。
His relentless aggression bludgeons you into seeing his point.
2
她咄咄逼人的态度让他难以解释自己的感情。
tā duō duō bī rén de tài dù ràng tā nán yǐ jiě shì zì jǐ de gǎn qíng。
Her aggressiveness made it difficult for him to explain his own feelings.
3
委员会咄咄逼人的宣传方式使其不得人心。
wěi yuán huì duō duō bī rén de xuān chuán fāng shì shǐ qí bù dé rén xīn。
The committee's confrontational style of campaigning has made it unpopular.
4
他眼珠子咄咄逼人地盯住郭世富, 企图逼他屈服.
tā yǎn zhū zǐ duō duō bī rén dì dīng zhù guō shì fù, , qǐ tú bī tā qū.
He looked at Guo Shifu compellingly . He wanted to force him to submit.
5
她经常摆出一副咄咄逼人的气势,象是要找他们的岔儿.
tā jīng cháng bǎi chū yī fù duō duō bī rén de qì shì, , xiàng shì yào zhǎo tā mén de chà.
She had an oppressive air of expecting subtle things of them.
Cultural Notes for 咄
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, expressions of disapproval or anger have historical significance in literature and drama, often reflecting societal norms of respect and hierarchy. The interjection 咄 can represent a cultural response to perceived disrespect or foolishness in a conversation.
Word Family of 咄
Words Containing This Character4
咄咄逼人overbearing
咄duōTaiwan pr. [duò]
咄咄怪事strange
咄咄tut-tut
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 咄咄逼人 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咄
Use 咄 when you feel frustrated or surprised about something someone has done, but be cautious as it can come off as rude.
It is not frequently used in everyday conversation today; it is more commonly found in literature or historical contexts.
The correct pronunciation is 'duō' with a clear and emphatic tone.
