Meanings of 跎
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 跎
Podcast: 跎
Podcast: 跎
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 跎
This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more formal or literary. Learners should be careful with the tone; 'tuó' is pronounced with a rising tone, which can be confused with other similar-sounding words. Common collocations might include phrases related to hesitation or indecision.
Although 跎 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to movement and decision-making. Students should practice using it in sentences that express uncertainty or hesitation to better integrate it into their vocabulary.
Learners often confuse 跎 with similar characters due to the pronunciation or radicals. For example, they might mistakenly use 跳 (tiào, to jump) instead of 跎 when describing hesitation. Always remember that 跎 emphasizes stumbling in decision-making rather than physical movement.
Pronunciation of 跎
Drill the tone of 跎 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 跎
foot
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 跎
- 1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half它 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayfoot
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 跎? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 跎?
Decomposition of 跎
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 跎?
How to say to stumble, to falter, to vacillate in Chinese
“to stumble, to falter, to vacillate” in Chinese is跎
The character 跎 (tuó) primarily means to stumble or falter, often used in contexts where someone is hesitant or vacillating in their actions or decisions. It can also imply wasting time, suggesting a lack of decisiveness or purpose.
When to use 跎
This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more formal or literary. Learners should be careful with the tone; 'tuó' is pronounced with a rising tone, which can be confused with other similar-sounding words. Common collocations might include phrases related to hesitation or indecision.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 跎 with similar characters due to the pronunciation or radicals. For example, they might mistakenly use 跳 (tiào, to jump) instead of 跎 when describing hesitation. Always remember that 跎 emphasizes stumbling in decision-making rather than physical movement.
Write 跎
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 跎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 跎
Compound Meaning
What does 蹉跎 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 跎
While 跎 specifically emphasizes hesitation and wasting time, other words like 摔 (shuāi) focus more on the physical act of falling.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 跎?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.