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March 24, 2026
搔sāo(sao1)
The character 搔 (sāo) primarily means 'to scratch' or 'to scratch at something.' It is often used in contexts where someone is relieving an itch or trying to remove something stuck to the skin. The character can also be an old variant of the character 騷 (sāo), which conveys a sense of being disturbed or agitated.
Strokes12Radical扌Frequency#21390DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, scratching is often viewed as a response to an imbalance in the body's energy, emphasizing the connection between physical sensations and overall health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cat scratching at a door to get your attention, the sound it makes is like 'sāo.' The character 搔 combines the hand radical (扌) on the left, indicating an action done by hand, with the sound component, suggesting the action of scratching with a hand.
Meanings of 搔
sāo(sao1)
1to scratch
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 搔
搔Simplified
12Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 搔
Podcast: 搔
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AI Study Notes for 搔
Quick Contrast
搔 (sāo, to scratch) vs 抓 (zhuā, to grab) — use 搔 when specifically referring to scratching an itch, while 抓 implies a more forceful grip or action.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cat scratching at a door to get your attention, the sound it makes is like 'sāo.' The character 搔 combines the hand radical (扌) on the left, indicating an action done by hand, with the sound component, suggesting the action of scratching with a hand.
Usage Notes
Students should be cautious about confusing 搔 with the similar-sounding 騷, as they have different meanings. This word is typically used in informal contexts, and learners should remember to use it when discussing physical sensations like itching. Be mindful of using the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although not included in the HSK vocabulary, 搔 can be linked to other verbs related to physical actions, such as 抓 (zhuā, to grab) and 挠 (náo, to scratch). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and usage in sentences to solidify understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, scratching is often viewed as a response to an imbalance in the body's energy, emphasizing the connection between physical sensations and overall health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 搔 with the character 騷 (sāo) due to their similar sounds and meanings. For instance, saying 我很搔 (Wǒ hěn sāo) instead of 我很痒 (Wǒ hěn yǎng) can lead to confusion, as the former incorrectly suggests agitation rather than an itch.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 搔
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Grammar Patterns of 搔
搔 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 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.
The scrapie agent in sheep may be similar to viroids.
3
我搔他的痒处.
wǒ sāo tā de yǎng chǔ.
I scratched him where he itched.
4
然后,她用手指轻轻地搔我,痒得我发出一阵大笑.
rán hòu, , tā yòng shǒu zhǐ qīng qīng dì sāo, wǒ , yǎng dé wǒ fā chū yī zhèn.
Then she tickled me into a burst of laughter.
5
我爸便跪下去,搔弄着她的耳朵,同时接受她的亲吻.
wǒ bà biàn guì xià qù, , sāo nòng zháo tā de ěr, duǒ , tóng shí jiē shòu tā de.
Dad would kneel to receive her kisses while he scratched her ears.
Cultural Notes for 搔
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, scratching is often viewed as a response to an imbalance in the body's energy, emphasizing the connection between physical sensations and overall health.
Word Family of 搔
Words Containing This Character4
搔sāoto scratch
搔首弄姿to stroke one's hair coquettishly (idiom)
搔痒to tickle搔癢
隔靴搔痒ineffectual隔靴搔癢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 搔 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 搔
You can say 搔痒 (sāo yǎng), which means 'to scratch an itch.'
No, 搔 is generally used in spoken or informal contexts.
While both can mean to scratch, 搔 specifically refers to the action of scratching, often to relieve an itch, whereas 抓 implies grabbing or seizing something.
