HSK 7, ns, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4999, Very Hard
挪
nuó
to move
HSK 7, ns, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #4999, Very Hard
nuó(nuo2) T2
1to shift
2to move
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March 24, 2026
挪nuó(nuo2)
The character 挪 (nuó) means 'to shift' or 'to move' and is often used in contexts involving physical relocation or changing the position of objects. It can also imply a sense of gently adjusting or rearranging something, rather than forcefully moving it. Common usage can be found in everyday situations, such as rearranging furniture or shifting responsibilities.
Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#4999DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of moving or adjusting space is often associated with feng shui principles, emphasizing the importance of harmonious arrangements in living and working environments. The character 挪 is frequently used in discussions about optimizing space for better energy flow.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 挪 as someone gently nudging or shifting a large rock (the radical 扌 suggests action by hand). Imagine a friendly giant (the character's rounded top) softly moving the rock to help a friend pass by, emphasizing the gentle nature of 'to move'. The pronunciation 'nuó' sounds like 'no' combined with 'aw' — imagine the giant saying 'No, don’t push hard, just shift it gently!'
Meanings of 挪
nuó(nuo2)
1to shift
2to move
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 挪
挪Simplified
9Strokes
扌Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4999Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 挪
Podcast: 挪
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AI Study Notes for 挪
Quick Contrast
移动 (yídòng) - use 挪 for a gentler, more careful movement, while 移动 implies a more general or forceful action.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 挪 with other characters that imply forceful movement, such as 移 (yí), which means 'to transfer' or 'to relocate'. In formal contexts, 挪 is appropriate for discussing adjustments in plans or responsibilities, while in informal settings, it can describe casual actions like moving items around a room. Be mindful of the tone, as using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 挪 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to movement and change, such as 移动 (yídòng, to move). Students should focus on how to use 挪 in various phrases and practice its application in idiomatic expressions to enhance their fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 挪 with 移, using it incorrectly in contexts requiring a more forceful term. For example, saying '我需要挪这个桌子到那边' (I need to shift this table over there) is correct, but using it for moving a whole office would be more appropriate with 移.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 挪
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 那 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half那 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 挪? 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 挪?
Decomposition of 挪
IDS Structure⿰扌那
挪Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
那Na1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 挪?
How to say to shift in Chinese
“to shift” in Chinese is挪nuó
The character 挪 (nuó) means 'to shift' or 'to move' and is often used in contexts involving physical relocation or changing the position of objects. It can also imply a sense of gently adjusting or rearranging something, rather than forcefully moving it. Common usage can be found in everyday situations, such as rearranging furniture or shifting responsibilities.
When to use 挪
A common mistake is to confuse 挪 with other characters that imply forceful movement, such as 移 (yí), which means 'to transfer' or 'to relocate'. In formal contexts, 挪 is appropriate for discussing adjustments in plans or responsibilities, while in informal settings, it can describe casual actions like moving items around a room. Be mindful of the tone, as using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
挪 or something close to it
移动 (yídòng) - use 挪 for a gentler, more careful movement, while 移动 implies a more general or forceful action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 挪 with 移, using it incorrectly in contexts requiring a more forceful term. For example, saying '我需要挪这个桌子到那边' (I need to shift this table over there) is correct, but using it for moving a whole office would be more appropriate with 移.
Write 挪
挪
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Practice writing 挪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 挪
挪 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 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
Complete the Sentence
一名前主管____用了3,400万美元的公司资金。
One former director embezzled $34 million in company funds.
