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投降 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
投降tóuxiángto surrenderHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #3320, Very Hard
投降tóuxiángsurrenderHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #3320, Very Hard
tóuxiáng(tou2xiang2)tou xiang T2
  1. 1to surrender
  2. 2surrender
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March 24, 2026

投降tóuxiáng(tou2xiang2)

投降 (tóu xiáng) means to surrender or give up in the context of conflict or competition. It is commonly used in military terms but can also apply to personal or professional situations where one relinquishes their position or stance. The nuance often implies a sense of defeat or acceptance of a situation.

Strokes15Frequency#3320DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of surrender has significant historical implications in Chinese culture, particularly during conflicts like the Opium Wars, where surrender represented not just defeat but also the loss of sovereignty and dignity.

Memory tip

Imagine a soldier (the radical 投, which also means 'to throw') throwing down their weapons in surrender (降). You can visualize them throwing their weapons high into the air, where they will come down (降) to the ground, symbolizing their acceptance of defeat.

Meanings of 投降

tóuxiáng(tou2xiang2)
1to surrender
2surrender
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 投降

投降Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3320Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 投降

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AI study notes for 投降

Quick Contrast

投降 (tóuxiáng) vs 认输 (rènshū) — use 投降 when emphasizing surrender in conflict, while 认输 focuses on admitting defeat in a competition.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, usually in discussions of war, sports, or arguments. Common mistakes include using it in a casual context where other terms like 'give in' might be more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone; it can sound harsh if used in a sensitive situation.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 投降 connects to themes of conflict and resolution, which may include other vocabulary related to disputes or negotiations. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts, such as legal, personal, and historical situations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 投降 with 放弃 (fàngqì), which means 'to give up' but lacks the implication of surrendering to an opponent. For example, saying '我放弃了' (I gave up) instead of '我投降了' (I surrendered) can change the meaning significantly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 投降

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Component characters

投tóuto cast
HSK 57 strokes扌
View full entry
降jiàngto drop
HSK 48 strokes阝
View full entry

How to say to surrender in Chinese

“to surrender” in Chinese is投降tóuxiáng

投降 (tóu xiáng) means to surrender or give up in the context of conflict or competition. It is commonly used in military terms but can also apply to personal or professional situations where one relinquishes their position or stance. The nuance often implies a sense of defeat or acceptance of a situation.

When to use 投降

This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, usually in discussions of war, sports, or arguments. Common mistakes include using it in a casual context where other terms like 'give in' might be more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone; it can sound harsh if used in a sensitive situation.

投降 or something close to it

投降 (tóuxiáng) vs 认输 (rènshū) — use 投降 when emphasizing surrender in conflict, while 认输 focuses on admitting defeat in a competition.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 投降 with 放弃 (fàngqì), which means 'to give up' but lacks the implication of surrendering to an opponent. For example, saying '我放弃了' (I gave up) instead of '我投降了' (I surrendered) can change the meaning significantly.

Write 投降

投
降

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

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Grammar patterns of 投降

投降 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 2 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

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Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

经过10个小时的谈判,持枪歹徒终于____了。

Finally, after ten hours of negotiations, the gunman gave himself up.

Example sentences for 投降 (10)

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1
经过10个小时的谈判,持枪歹徒终于投降了。

jīngguò10 gè xiǎoshí de tánpàn, chí qiāng dǎitú zhōngyú tóuxiáng le。

Finally, after ten hours of negotiations, the gunman gave himself up.
2
那两个人乖乖地向他投降。

nà liǎng gèrén guāi guāi dì xiàng tā tóuxiáng。

The pair surrendered to him like lambs.
3
他们想让我做什么,宣战还是投降?

tāmen xiǎng ràng wǒ zuò shénme, Xuān zhàn háishi tóuxiáng?

Which do they want me to do? declare war or surrender?
4
看上帝的分上, 汤姆·史密斯, 马上放下枪械投降吧.

kàn shàngdì de fēn shàng, shāng mǔ· Shǐ mì Sī, mǎshàng fàngxià qiāng xiè tóuxiáng ba.

For God'd sake, Tom smith, throw down your arms.
5
巴黎被围困了四个月后被迫投降。

Bā lí bèi wéi kùn le sì gè yuè hòu bèipò tóuxiáng。

Paris was besieged for four months and forced to surrender.
6
胜方要求敌人无条件投降.

shèng fāng yāoqiú dírén wútiáojiàn tóuxiáng.

The victorious army demanded unconditional surrender.
7
马丁·邦尼特将军呼吁反叛者投降。

mǎ Dīng· bāng ní tè jiāngjūn hūyù fǎn pàn zhě tóuxiáng。

General Martin Bonnet called on the rebels to surrender.
8
他们的领导人除投降外,别无它法.

tāmen de lǐngdǎo rén chú tóuxiáng wài, bié wú tā fǎ.

Their leader had no alternative but to submit.
9
围攻者使守军饿得只好投降.

wéi gōng zhě shǐ shǒu jūn è de zhǐhǎo tóuxiáng.

The besiegers hungered the garrison into surrender.
10
他们使敌人饿得 投降 了.

tāmen shǐ dírén è de tóuxiáng le.

They starved the enemy into surrender ( ing ).

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Cultural Notes for 投降

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, surrender might be viewed as a sign of weakness, whereas in Chinese culture, it can sometimes reflect wisdom or strategy in recognizing when to yield.

Frequently asked questions about 投降

No, while it is commonly associated with military situations, it can also refer to personal or professional disagreements.

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