unknown, 18 strokes, radical 足, rank #53922, Very Hard
蹙
cù
wrinkled (of brows)
unknown, 18 strokes, radical 足, rank #53922, Very Hard
蹙
cù
to hesitate
unknown, 18 strokes, radical 足, rank #53922, Very Hard
cù(cu4) T4
1to frown, to knit the brows; distressed
2to knit (one's brows)
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March 24, 2026
蹙cù(cu4)
The character 蹙 (cù) primarily means 'to frown' or 'to knit the brows,' often implying a sense of distress or hesitation. It is commonly used in literary contexts to describe a person's facial expression when they are troubled or worried. The nuance of this term conveys a deeper emotional state rather than just the physical act of frowning.
Strokes18Radical足Frequency#53922DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, facial expressions, including frowning, are significant as they convey one's inner emotions and social status. The act of frowning is often associated with deeper philosophical reflections on life and circumstances.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person frowning intensely, their brows tightly knit together, as if they are about to 'coup' a difficult decision. The character 蹙 consists of the radical 足 (foot) on the bottom, suggesting movement or action, paired with the component that resembles the act of knitting brows, reinforcing the meaning of distress.
Meanings of 蹙
cù(cu4)
1to frown, to knit the brows; distressed
2to knit (one's brows)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 蹙
蹙Simplified
18Strokes
足Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蹙
Podcast: 蹙
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AI Study Notes for 蹙
Quick Contrast
皱 (zhòu) - use 蹙 (cù) for a more literary or emotional frown, while 皱 (zhòu) is more general for wrinkling or creasing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person frowning intensely, their brows tightly knit together, as if they are about to 'coup' a difficult decision. The character 蹙 consists of the radical 足 (foot) on the bottom, suggesting movement or action, paired with the component that resembles the act of knitting brows, reinforcing the meaning of distress.
Usage Notes
When using 蹙, be careful not to confuse it with simpler expressions of worry. It is more formal and is often found in written contexts, such as literature. Common collocations include 蹙眉 (cù méi), meaning 'to frown' and 蹙额 (cù é), meaning 'to wrinkle one's forehead.'
HSK Study Tips
While 蹙 is not in the HSK levels, it can be connected to more common emotional expressions found in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on how it relates to emotions and facial expressions, as these themes are prevalent in conversational Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, facial expressions, including frowning, are significant as they convey one's inner emotions and social status. The act of frowning is often associated with deeper philosophical reflections on life and circumstances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 蹙 by using it in overly casual contexts or confuse it with simpler words for 'worry.' For example, saying '我蹙了' (wǒ cù le) in a casual setting is incorrect; instead, use '我担心' (wǒ dān xīn) for 'I am worried.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蹙
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Grammar Patterns of 蹙
蹙 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 4 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
他几乎能感觉到她在电话那端皱眉____额。
He almost felt her wincing at the other end of the telephone.
Example Sentences for 蹙 (6)
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1
他几乎能感觉到她在电话那端皱眉蹙额。
tā jī hū néng gǎn jué dào tā zài diàn huà nà duān zhòu méi cù é。
He almost felt her wincing at the other end of the telephone.
2
很快他便眉头紧蹙地在她斜对面落座了。
hěn kuài tā biàn méi tóu jǐn cù dì zài tā xié duì miàn luò zuò le。
In a moment he was seated, diagonally opposite her, brow furrowed.
3
闻到这令人作呕的气味,他皱眉蹙额.
wén dào zhè líng rén zuò ǒu de qì wèi, , tā zhòu méi cù.
He screwed up his face at the nasty smell.
4
她将下巴翘得高高的, 眼角微微蹙起来,落落大方地微笑着.
tā jiāng xià bā qiáo dé gāo gāo de, , yǎn jiǎo wēi wēi cù qǐ, lái , luò luò dà fāng dì wēi.
Her chin went up and she smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling.
5
费伯蹬上椅子看了看那空着的灯泡插座,惊异地蹙起眉头.
fèi bó dēng shàng yǐ zǐ kàn le kàn nà kōng zháo de dēng pào chā zuò, , jīng yì dì cù qǐ méi.
Faber took in the empty light socket with the chair beneath it . He frowned in amazemnt.
6
她穿针引线时,总是眯眼蹙额.
tā chuān zhēn yǐn xiàn shí, , zǒng shì mī yǎn cù.
She frowns when she's putting thread into a needle.
Cultural Notes for 蹙
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, facial expressions, including frowning, are significant as they convey one's inner emotions and social status. The act of frowning is often associated with deeper philosophical reflections on life and circumstances.
Word Family of 蹙
Words Containing This Character3
蹙cùto hesitate
蹙眉to frown
穷蹙hard-up窮蹙
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 蹙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蹙
蹙 is typically used in literary or formal contexts, often to describe emotional states.
While it can be used, it's more common in written language, so it's better to use simpler terms for casual conversations.
