Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
躓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
躓zhìto stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustratedx, 22 strokes, radical 足
zhì(zhi4)zhi T4
  1. 1to stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustrated
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

躓zhì(zhi4)

The character 躓 (zhì) means to stumble or totter, often used in the context of physical movement, such as tripping while walking. It can also metaphorically signify failure or frustration in achieving a goal, reflecting a sense of hindrance or setback. This dual meaning makes it applicable in both literal and figurative contexts.

Strokes22Radical足
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the idea of stumbling can be connected to the concept of 'failure as a teacher', where setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth and learning. This perspective encourages resilience in the face of obstacles.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person trying to walk steadily but suddenly stumbling over an obstacle, represented by the character's form. The radical '躬' (gōng) suggests movement, while '土' (tǔ) at the bottom signifies the ground, where one might trip. Picture 'zhì' as a sound of surprise when you stumble.

Meanings of 躓

zhì(zhi4)
1to stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustrated
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 躓 means.

About 躓

躓Simplified
22Strokes
足Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 躓

JasonAmy

Podcast: 躓

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 躓

Quick Contrast

跌 (diē) - use 躓 (zhì) when emphasizing the act of stumbling or tripping specifically, while 跌 (diē) can refer to falling more generally.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 'zhì', as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It's often used in more informal contexts when discussing personal failures or setbacks, so avoid using it in formal writing unless necessary. Common collocations include '躓倒' (to stumble) and '躓在' (to be frustrated by).

HSK Study Tips

While 躓 is not part of the standard HSK levels, learners can connect it to other words related to movement or failure, such as 跌 (diē, to fall) and 失败 (shībài, to fail). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and understanding its metaphorical uses to enhance comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 躓 with similar-sounding words like 只 (zhǐ, only), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. Make sure to understand the context of 'stumbling' versus 'only'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 躓

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 躓 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

Jason Explains 躓 to You

Let me explain 躓 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 躓 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 躓?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 躓 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 躓

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

foot

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

Origin

躓 = 足 + 質. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 躓

IDS Structure⿰足質
躓Full Character
=
足ju4
left
質zhi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 躓?

How to say to stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustrated in Chinese

“to stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustrated” in Chinese is躓zhì

The character 躓 (zhì) means to stumble or totter, often used in the context of physical movement, such as tripping while walking. It can also metaphorically signify failure or frustration in achieving a goal, reflecting a sense of hindrance or setback. This dual meaning makes it applicable in both literal and figurative contexts.

When to use 躓

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 'zhì', as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It's often used in more informal contexts when discussing personal failures or setbacks, so avoid using it in formal writing unless necessary. Common collocations include '躓倒' (to stumble) and '躓在' (to be frustrated by).

躓 or something close to it

跌 (diē) - use 躓 (zhì) when emphasizing the act of stumbling or tripping specifically, while 跌 (diē) can refer to falling more generally.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 躓 with similar-sounding words like 只 (zhǐ, only), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. Make sure to understand the context of 'stumbling' versus 'only'.

Write 躓

躓

Practice writing 躓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 躓?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 躓

Words Containing This Character1
踬zhìto stumble躓
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 躓

What does 踬 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 躓

It can mean 'to stumble' physically, like tripping while walking, or metaphorically as 'to fail' in a task.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 躓?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab