unknown, 11 strokes, radical 犭, rank #67087, Very Hard
cù(cu4) T4
1sudden, abrupt
2unexpected
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March 24, 2026
猝cù(cu4)
The character 猝 (cù) means sudden or abrupt, often referring to unexpected events or actions. It is commonly used in contexts such as sudden changes, unexpected news, or abrupt occurrences in both speech and writing.
Strokes11Radical犭Frequency#67087DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of sudden events is often highlighted in literature and folk tales, emphasizing the unpredictability of life. For instance, sudden misfortunes or fortunes are common themes in traditional stories.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cat (the radical 猫) that suddenly jumps out at you, surprising you. The sound 'cù' resembles the sound you make when startled, helping you remember its meaning of 'sudden' or 'abrupt'.
Meanings of 猝
cù(cu4)
1sudden, abrupt
2unexpected
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 猝
猝Simplified
11Strokes
犭Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 猝
Podcast: 猝
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AI Study Notes for 猝
Quick Contrast
猝 (cù) vs 突 (tū) — use 猝 for suddenness with a sense of unexpectedness, while 突 emphasizes the idea of a sudden action or occurrence without the same nuance of surprise.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cat (the radical 猫) that suddenly jumps out at you, surprising you. The sound 'cù' resembles the sound you make when startled, helping you remember its meaning of 'sudden' or 'abrupt'.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 猝 with other characters meaning 'sudden' or 'quick', such as 急 (jí) or 快 (kuài). It is typically used in more formal contexts, especially in written Chinese. Common collocations include 猝死 (sudden death) and 猝然 (suddenly).
HSK Study Tips
While 猝 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for advanced learners. Students should focus on contexts where suddenness is emphasized, linking it to other HSK vocabulary related to time and change.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of sudden events is often highlighted in literature and folk tales, emphasizing the unpredictability of life. For instance, sudden misfortunes or fortunes are common themes in traditional stories.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 猝 with 突 (tū), which also means sudden but is more informal. For example, saying 突死 instead of 猝死 is incorrect in formal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 猝
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Grammar Patterns of 猝
猝 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 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 5
Complete the Sentence
看上去，她好像被摄影师搞了个____不及防。
She looked as if the photographer had caught her by surprise.
Example Sentences for 猝 (4)
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1
看上去，她好像被摄影师搞了个猝不及防。
kàn shàng qù， ， tā hǎo xiàng bèi shè yǐng shī gǎo le gè cù bù jí。
She looked as if the photographer had caught her by surprise.
2
莉拉的船猝然停下。
lì lā de chuán cù rán tíng xià。
Lila's boat came to a dead stop.
3
岳父的猝死使他十分伤心。
yuè fù de cù sǐ shǐ tā shí fēn shāng xīn。
He had been deeply affected by the sudden death of his father-in-law.
4
趴着睡的婴儿似乎患婴儿猝死综合征的几率更高。
pā zháo shuì de yīng ér sì hū huàn yīng ér cù sǐ zōng hé zhēng de jī shuài gēng gāo。
SIDS appears to be somewhat more common among babies who sleep on their stomachs.
Cultural Notes for 猝
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of sudden events is often highlighted in literature and folk tales, emphasizing the unpredictability of life. For instance, sudden misfortunes or fortunes are common themes in traditional stories.
Word Family of 猝
Words Containing This Character6
猝死sudden death (in medicine, sporting competitions etc)
猝不及防to be caught off guard
猝然suddenly
猝cùabrupt
仓猝hurriedly倉猝
匆猝hurried
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 猝死 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 猝
You can say 猝死 (cùsǐ) to mean 'sudden death', often used in news reports or discussions about unexpected tragedies.
It's more frequently found in written forms or formal speech rather than in casual conversation.
Common collocations include 猝然 (suddenly) and 猝发 (abruptly occurring).
