Meanings of 挫
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About 挫
Podcast: 挫
Podcast: 挫
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AI Study Notes for 挫
挫 (cuò) vs 阻 (zǔ) — use 挫 when emphasizing failure or repression, while 阻 focuses on physical obstruction or hindrance.
Be cautious not to confuse 挫 with similar-sounding characters, as it has a specific connotation related to failure or repression. The word is generally used in more formal contexts, particularly in literature or discussions about challenges. Common collocations include 挫折 (cuòzhé, setback) and 挫败 (cuòbài, to defeat).
Although 挫 is not included in the official HSK lists, it can enrich vocabulary at advanced levels. Students should focus on understanding its nuanced meanings and how it relates to phrases expressing challenges or failures, linking it to other HSK vocabulary about emotions and obstacles.
Learners often confuse 挫 with similar characters like 措 (cuò, to handle), leading to incorrect meanings. For instance, using '挫' to mean 'to handle' is incorrect; it should be '措'.
Pronunciation of 挫
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Jason Explains 挫 to You
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Etymology of 挫
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 坐 represents the sound.
hand
Origin
挫 = 扌 + 坐. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 挫
Parts
Which of these is part of 挫?
How to say obstructed in Chinese
“obstructed” in Chinese is挫
The character 挫 (cuò) primarily means to obstruct or to fail, often implying an act of repression or damping down. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a setback in personal goals or the act of suppressing emotions or ambitions.
When to use 挫
Be cautious not to confuse 挫 with similar-sounding characters, as it has a specific connotation related to failure or repression. The word is generally used in more formal contexts, particularly in literature or discussions about challenges. Common collocations include 挫折 (cuòzhé, setback) and 挫败 (cuòbài, to defeat).
挫 or something close to it
挫 (cuò) vs 阻 (zǔ) — use 挫 when emphasizing failure or repression, while 阻 focuses on physical obstruction or hindrance.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 挫 with similar characters like 措 (cuò, to handle), leading to incorrect meanings. For instance, using '挫' to mean 'to handle' is incorrect; it should be '措'.
Write 挫
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Practice writing 挫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 挫
挫 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 8 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
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这件事如此丢脸，深深地____伤了我的自尊心。
It was so humiliating, a terrible blow to my self-esteem.
Example Sentences for 挫 (5)
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Word Family of 挫
Words with 挫
What does 挫折 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 挫
Common phrases include 挫折 (cuòzhé, setback) and 挫败 (cuòbài, to defeat), which emphasize overcoming obstacles.
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