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March 24, 2026
遭遇zāoyù(zao1yu4)
遭遇 refers to the act of encountering or meeting with something, often of a challenging or negative nature. It is commonly used to describe adverse experiences or hardships that one faces in life, such as obstacles or unfortunate events.
Strokes26Frequency#3944DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and folklore, themes of hardship and enduring trials are prevalent, making 遭遇 a term often found in stories that reflect on the human condition and resilience.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (the character 遭) walking into a storm (the character 遇) unexpectedly. The storm symbolizes the bitter experiences one might encounter, helping you remember '遭遇' as a meeting with difficulties.
Meanings of 遭遇
zāoyù(zao1yu4)
1to meet with
2to encounter
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 遭遇
遭遇Simplified
26Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3944Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 遭遇
Podcast: 遭遇
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AI Study Notes for 遭遇
Quick Contrast
遭受 (zāoshòu) - use 遭遇 when emphasizing the encounter aspect of an experience, while 遭受 focuses more on the suffering or impact of that experience.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 遭遇 with similar terms like 遇到, which can imply a more neutral or positive encounter. This word is typically used in more serious contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 遭遇 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to experiences and emotions. Focus on using it in sentences that express complex feelings about life events.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 遭遇 in positive contexts, saying things like '我遇到一个好朋友 (I encountered a good friend)' instead of using 遇到 for positive encounters. Remember, 遭遇 is best reserved for negative or challenging experiences.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 遭遇
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遭遇 refers to the act of encountering or meeting with something, often of a challenging or negative nature. It is commonly used to describe adverse experiences or hardships that one faces in life, such as obstacles or unfortunate events.
When to use 遭遇
Be careful not to confuse 遭遇 with similar terms like 遇到, which can imply a more neutral or positive encounter. This word is typically used in more serious contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversations.
遭遇 or something close to it
遭受 (zāoshòu) - use 遭遇 when emphasizing the encounter aspect of an experience, while 遭受 focuses more on the suffering or impact of that experience.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 遭遇 in positive contexts, saying things like '我遇到一个好朋友 (I encountered a good friend)' instead of using 遇到 for positive encounters. Remember, 遭遇 is best reserved for negative or challenging experiences.
Write 遭遇
遭
遇
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Grammar Patterns of 遭遇
遭遇 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我觉得应为我们____的问题负部分责任。
I feel partly responsible for the problems we're in.
Example Sentences for 遭遇 (10)
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1
我觉得应为我们遭遇的问题负部分责任。
wǒ jué dé yīng wéi wǒ mén zāo yù de wèn tí fù bù fēn zé rèn。
I feel partly responsible for the problems we're in.
