HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2082, Very Hard
揍
zòu
to break to pieces
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2082, Very Hard
揍
zòu
to hit, to beat; to smash, to break
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #2082, Very Hard
zòu(zou4) T4
1to beat up
2to break to pieces
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
揍zòu(zou4)
The verb '揍' (zòu) means to strike or beat someone, often implying physical aggression. It is commonly used in informal contexts to describe fighting or attacking someone, usually in a somewhat casual or humorous tone. The nuance can vary based on context, sometimes indicating playful roughhousing or serious violence.
Strokes12Radical扌Frequency#2082DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
'揍' often comes up in discussions about martial arts or street fighting, reflecting the cultural significance of physical prowess in certain contexts. Additionally, it can appear in humorous exchanges among friends, showing a lighter side to aggressive language.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'zoo' (sounds like 'zòu') where animals are playfully 'beating' each other up, like monkeys throwing bananas. The character 揍 features the hand radical (扌), which signifies actions done by hand, connecting it to the idea of hitting or striking.
Meanings of 揍
zòu(zou4)
1to beat up
2to break to pieces
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 揍
揍Simplified
12Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2082Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 揍
Podcast: 揍
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 揍
Quick Contrast
打 (dǎ) - use '揍' when emphasizing a rough or aggressive beating, whereas '打' can imply hitting in a broader, less aggressive sense.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the informal connotation of '揍'; using it in formal contexts may seem inappropriate. Common collocations include phrases like '揍人' (to hit someone) and '揍得很惨' (to beat up badly). Ensure to use the correct tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation could lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, '揍' is useful for discussing more advanced topics, like conflict or physical actions in narratives. Students should focus on learning related verbs and phrases that describe physical actions to expand their vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '揍' with '打' (dǎ), thinking they are interchangeable. '打' is more general and can mean to hit in various contexts, while '揍' specifically emphasizes beating up or attacking someone. For example, saying '我揍他' (I hit him) is correct, but saying '我打他' (I beat him) may imply a different context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 揍
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 揍 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2The sound half奏 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 揍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 揍?
Decomposition of 揍
IDS Structure⿰扌奏
揍Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
奏zou4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 揍?
How to say to beat up in Chinese
“to beat up” in Chinese is揍zòu
The verb '揍' (zòu) means to strike or beat someone, often implying physical aggression. It is commonly used in informal contexts to describe fighting or attacking someone, usually in a somewhat casual or humorous tone. The nuance can vary based on context, sometimes indicating playful roughhousing or serious violence.
When to use 揍
Be mindful of the informal connotation of '揍'; using it in formal contexts may seem inappropriate. Common collocations include phrases like '揍人' (to hit someone) and '揍得很惨' (to beat up badly). Ensure to use the correct tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation could lead to misunderstandings.
揍 or something close to it
打 (dǎ) - use '揍' when emphasizing a rough or aggressive beating, whereas '打' can imply hitting in a broader, less aggressive sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '揍' with '打' (dǎ), thinking they are interchangeable. '打' is more general and can mean to hit in various contexts, while '揍' specifically emphasizes beating up or attacking someone. For example, saying '我揍他' (I hit him) is correct, but saying '我打他' (I beat him) may imply a different context.
Write 揍
揍
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 揍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 揍
揍 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.
