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March 24, 2026
吊(弔)diào(diao4)
The character 吊 (diào) primarily means 'to suspend' or 'to hang up.' It is often used in contexts such as hanging objects or expressing condolences. Additionally, it can refer to hanging a person in a historical context or to lamenting someone's misfortune.
Strokes6Radical口Frequency#4153DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of mourning is significant, and 吊 is often used in the context of paying respects to the deceased. For instance, when someone passes away, people might say 吊唁 (diàoyàn) to express their condolences.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, heavy object being suspended from a rope; the character 吊 looks like a hook (the top part) hanging down from a line (the vertical stroke), reminding you of the action of hanging. The sound 'diào' can be linked to 'dangle,' which also suggests something hanging.
Meanings of 吊
diào(diao4)
1to suspend
2to hang up
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 吊 means.
About 吊
吊Simplified
弔Traditional
6Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#4153Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 吊
Podcast: 吊
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AI Study Notes for 吊
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 吊 with similar-sounding words. It is more informal and sometimes carries a negative connotation when used in the context of hanging a person. Common collocations include 吊起 (to lift up) and 吊带 (suspender).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 吊 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and actions. Focus on using it in both physical and metaphorical contexts to deepen understanding. Practice its usage in sentences to reinforce its meanings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 吊 with similar characters like 掉 (diào), which means 'to fall.' For example, saying 吊了的苹果 (the apple that hung) instead of 掉了的苹果 (the apple that fell) demonstrates this confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 吊
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How Well Do You Know 吊?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 吊 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.
The character 吊 (diào) primarily means 'to suspend' or 'to hang up.' It is often used in contexts such as hanging objects or expressing condolences. Additionally, it can refer to hanging a person in a historical context or to lamenting someone's misfortune.
When to use 吊
Be cautious not to confuse 吊 with similar-sounding words. It is more informal and sometimes carries a negative connotation when used in the context of hanging a person. Common collocations include 吊起 (to lift up) and 吊带 (suspender).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 吊 with similar characters like 掉 (diào), which means 'to fall.' For example, saying 吊了的苹果 (the apple that hung) instead of 掉了的苹果 (the apple that fell) demonstrates this confusion.
Write 吊
吊
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Practice writing 吊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 吊
吊 carries 7 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
悬____的屋顶下是一条宽阔的游廊。
There is a wide veranda under the overhang of the roof.
Example Sentences for 吊 (10)
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1
悬吊的屋顶下是一条宽阔的游廊。
xuán diào de wū dǐng xià shì yī tiáo kuān kuò de yóu láng。
There is a wide veranda under the overhang of the roof.
2
在到精神病医院两小时后他就上吊自杀了。
zài dào jīng shén bìng yī yuàn liǎng xiǎo shí hòu tā jiù shàng diào zì shā le。
He hanged himself two hours after arriving at a mental hospital.
