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March 24, 2026
遇到yùdào(yu4dao4)
遇到 (yù dào) means 'to meet' or 'to encounter' someone or something unexpectedly. This verb is often used in contexts where one comes across people, situations, or problems unexpectedly, emphasizing the element of chance in the encounter.
Strokes20Frequency#883DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, unexpected encounters often come with a sense of fate or destiny, which is reflected in the saying '有缘千里来相会', meaning that if two people are meant to meet, distance will not be an obstacle.
Memory Tip
Think of 遇 as 'encounter' and 见 as 'see'. Imagine you 'see' someone you didn't expect to meet while walking down the street. The character 遇 combines the 'go' radical (走) with 'to meet' (会), reminding you of the journey you take when you meet someone unexpectedly.
Meanings of 遇到
yùdào(yu4dao4)
1to meet
2to run into
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About 遇到
遇到Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#883Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 遇到
Podcast: 遇到
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AI Study Notes for 遇到
Quick Contrast
遭遇 (zāoyù) - use 遇到 for unexpected encounters, while 遭遇 implies a more negative or adverse situation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context where 遇到 is used; it is generally informal and can imply a chance meeting. It collocates well with phrases like 遇到困难 (to encounter difficulties) or 遇到朋友 (to meet a friend). Avoid using it in overly formal situations where more specific terms might be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 3 HSK word, 遇到 connects well with other verbs that express actions or encounters, such as 见 (to see) or 认识 (to know). Focus on using this verb in sentences to practice your conversational skills and enhance your fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 遇到 with 见面, using it in contexts where a planned meeting is implied. For example, saying '我们今天遇到' (We meet today) is incorrect; it should be '我们今天见面' (We meet today).
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Pronunciation of 遇到
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遇到 (yù dào) means 'to meet' or 'to encounter' someone or something unexpectedly. This verb is often used in contexts where one comes across people, situations, or problems unexpectedly, emphasizing the element of chance in the encounter.
When to use 遇到
Be mindful of the context where 遇到 is used; it is generally informal and can imply a chance meeting. It collocates well with phrases like 遇到困难 (to encounter difficulties) or 遇到朋友 (to meet a friend). Avoid using it in overly formal situations where more specific terms might be preferred.
遇到 or something close to it
遭遇 (zāoyù) - use 遇到 for unexpected encounters, while 遭遇 implies a more negative or adverse situation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 遇到 with 见面, using it in contexts where a planned meeting is implied. For example, saying '我们今天遇到' (We meet today) is incorrect; it should be '我们今天见面' (We meet today).
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遇
到
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Grammar Patterns of 遇到
遇到 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 3 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.
