Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
擞(擻)sǒu(sou3)
The character 擞 (sǒu) conveys the idea of shaking or trembling. It is often used in contexts where something is quivering or fluttering, such as leaves in the wind or a person's body due to cold or fear. Its nuance suggests a slight, often involuntary movement.
Strokes16Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of trembling can relate to traditional beliefs about spirits or the supernatural, where shivering is often considered a sign of an unseen presence. Additionally, it can reflect the emotional states of individuals in poetry and literature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small bird (the radical 扌, meaning 'hand') shaking its feathers (the character itself) to shake off water. The sound 'sǒu' can remind you of 'so' in 'so cold' when thinking of shivering.
Meanings of 擞
sǒu(sou3)
1to tremble, to shake, to quake, to flutter
2shake
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 擞
擞Simplified
擻Traditional
16Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 擞
Podcast: 擞
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 擞
Quick Contrast
颤 (chàn) — use 擞 for slight, involuntary movements, whereas 颤 indicates more pronounced trembling or quaking.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small bird (the radical 扌, meaning 'hand') shaking its feathers (the character itself) to shake off water. The sound 'sǒu' can remind you of 'so' in 'so cold' when thinking of shivering.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 擞 with similar characters related to shaking, like 摇 (yáo) which means to sway. This term is more informal and may not be suitable for formal writing. Be mindful of using the correct tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
While 擞 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to words about movement and actions. Students should focus on its usage in describing physical sensations or actions and practice with similar verbs.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of trembling can relate to traditional beliefs about spirits or the supernatural, where shivering is often considered a sign of an unseen presence. Additionally, it can reflect the emotional states of individuals in poetry and literature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 擞 with 摇 (yáo) when trying to describe shaking. For example, saying '我擞摇了' (wǒ sǒu yáo le) is incorrect; instead, use '我擞了' (wǒ sǒu le) to indicate a trembling action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 擞
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 擞 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 擞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 擞
擞 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
睡了一大觉后他醒过来,精神抖____.
He woke up fresh as a daisy after his long sleep.
Example Sentences for 擞 (2)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
睡了一大觉后他醒过来,精神抖擞.
shuì le yī dà jué hòu tā xǐng guò lái, , jīng shén dǒu.
He woke up fresh as a daisy after his long sleep.
2
服务员又来了,精神抖擞地递上了两张讲究的菜单.
fú wù yuán yòu lái le, , jīng shén dǒu sòu dì dì shàng le liǎng zhāng jiǎng jiū de cài.
Their waiter reappeared and presented two ornate menus with a flourish.
Cultural Notes for 擞
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of trembling can relate to traditional beliefs about spirits or the supernatural, where shivering is often considered a sign of an unseen presence. Additionally, it can reflect the emotional states of individuals in poetry and literature.
Word Family of 擞
Words Containing This Character4
精神抖擞full of energy精神抖擻
擞sǒushake擻
抖擞精神to gather one's spirits抖擻精神
抖擞to rouse抖擻
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 精神抖擞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 擞
Common phrases are 擞擞（sǒu sǒu）, meaning to tremble or shake slightly.
It is not as commonly used as other shaking verbs but can be found in literary contexts.
Make sure to use the third tone, starting low and then dipping down before rising.
