Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
绰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chāograceful, delicate; spaciousn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāoto grabunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāogenerousunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāoto snatch upunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāoampleunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāowideunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāowell-offunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāoto gripunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuògraceful, delicate; spaciousn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuòto grabunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuògenerousunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuòto snatch upunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuòampleunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuòwideunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuòwell-offunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chuòto gripunknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #32757, Very Hard
chāo(chao1)
primary
T1
  1. 1graceful, delicate; spacious
  2. 2to grab
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(綽)chāo(chao1)

The character 绰 (chāo) encompasses meanings such as graceful, delicate, and spacious. It is often used in contexts that describe generous or ample qualities, as well as actions like grabbing or snatching up. This character can convey a sense of elegance or abundance in various usages.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#32757DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of elegance and spaciousness can be related to traditional aesthetics, such as in gardens and architecture, where space and grace play a crucial role in harmony and beauty.

Memory Tip

Imagine a graceful dancer (绰) moving effortlessly across a spacious stage, their movements both delicate and ample. The character's components suggest beauty and width, much like the dancer's flowing attire and the expansive space around them.

Meanings of 绰

chāo(chao1)
primary
1graceful, delicate; spacious
2to grab
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 绰

Simplified
Traditional
11Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 绰

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 绰

Quick Contrast

绰 (chāo) vs 宽 (kuān) — use 绰 for a sense of elegance or abundance, while 宽 emphasizes physical width or spaciousness.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a graceful dancer (绰) moving effortlessly across a spacious stage, their movements both delicate and ample. The character's components suggest beauty and width, much like the dancer's flowing attire and the expansive space around them.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 绰 with similar-sounding characters like 差 (chà), which means 'difference.' Remember that 绰 has connotations of grace and spaciousness, while 差 does not. It is typically used in a more poetic or formal context.

HSK Study Tips

Although 绰 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it connects with other words describing elegance and spaciousness. Students should focus on the character's ability to convey nuanced meanings and practice using it in descriptive phrases.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of elegance and spaciousness can be related to traditional aesthetics, such as in gardens and architecture, where space and grace play a crucial role in harmony and beauty.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 绰 as chǒ instead of chāo. Additionally, they might use it interchangeably with characters like 优雅 (yōuyǎ) for grace, which has a slightly different meaning focused on elegance rather than spaciousness.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 绰

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 绰

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 卓 represents the sound. Simplified form of 綽.

Memory Hint

silk

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 绰?

Decomposition of 绰

IDS Structure⿰纟卓
Full Character
=
si1
left
Zhuo2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 绰?

Write 绰

Practice writing 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 绰

绰 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

当他大一点时,我给他起了个“小阿尔夫”的____号。

When he got older I nicknamed him Little Alf.

Example Sentences for 绰 (6)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
当他大一点时,我给他起了个“小阿尔夫”的绰号。

dāng tā dà yī diǎn shí, , wǒ gěi tā qǐ le“ gè “ xiǎo ā” ěr fū ”。

When he got older I nicknamed him Little Alf.
2
我们给他起了个绰号叫“胖子”.

wǒ mén gěi tā qǐ le gè chuò hào jiào“ “ pàng”.

We dubbed him Fatty.
3
安德鲁听到雷切尔给婴儿起的绰号时,不禁高兴得大笑起来。

ān dé lǔ tīng dào léi qiē ěr gěi yīng ér qǐ de chuò hào shí, , bù jīn gāo xīng dé dà xiào qǐ。

Andrew roared with delight when he heard Rachel's nickname for the baby.
4
他因管理有方而为自己赢得了“老狐狸”的绰号。

tā yīn guǎn lǐ yǒu fāng ér wéi zì jǐ yíng dé le“ “ lǎo hú” lí ” de。

He governed with an adroitness that gained him the nickname "the old fox".
5
可是, 巴布斯不喜欢叫绰号,死死板板地称呼总统 “ 富兰克林. ”

kě shì, , bā bù sī bù xǐ huān jiào chuò, hào , sǐ sǐ bǎn bǎn dì chēng hū“ zǒng tǒng “ fù.”

Babbs, however , did not believe in nicknames and sternly called the President " Franklin. "
6
雾中显现出影影绰绰的轮廓.

wù zhōng xiǎn xiàn chū yǐng yǐng chuò chuò de lún kuò.

Ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog.

Cultural Notes for 绰

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of elegance and spaciousness can be related to traditional aesthetics, such as in gardens and architecture, where space and grace play a crucial role in harmony and beauty.

Word Family of 绰

Words Containing This Character7
绰号chuòhàonickname綽號
绰绰有余enough and to spare (idiom)綽綽有餘
chāoample
阔绰kuòchuòostentatious闊綽
风姿绰约graceful風姿綽約
绰约graceful綽約
宽绰spacious寬綽
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 绰号 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 绰

The pinyin for 绰 is chāo, pronounced with a falling tone.