Meanings of 琢
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About 琢
Podcast: 琢
Podcast: 琢
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AI Study Notes for 琢
琢 (zhuó) vs 切 (qiē) — use 琢 when emphasizing the polishing or refining process of stones, while 切 focuses more on the act of cutting or slicing.
Be mindful of the context when using 琢, as it is often associated with formal craftsmanship rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include 琢磨 (to ponder or think deeply), which can lead to confusion with the pronunciation. Remember to use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.
While 琢 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, its relation to other words like 玉 (jade) and 琢磨 (to ponder) can be useful for learners at higher levels. Focus on the character's usage in artistic contexts for a deeper understanding.
Learners often confuse 琢 with 磨 due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '我琢这个石头' (I will 琢 this stone) instead of the more appropriate '我磨这个石头' (I will磨 this stone) can lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
Pronunciation of 琢
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Etymology of 琢
jade
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 琢
- 1The meaning half王 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half豖 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayjade
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 琢? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 琢
Identify the Components
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How to say to cut (gems) in Chinese
“to cut (gems)” in Chinese is琢
The verb 琢 (zhuó) means to cut or polish precious stones, particularly jade. It is commonly used in contexts involving craftsmanship and artistry, especially in traditional Chinese jade carving, where meticulous skill is required to shape and refine the material.
When to use 琢
Be mindful of the context when using 琢, as it is often associated with formal craftsmanship rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include 琢磨 (to ponder or think deeply), which can lead to confusion with the pronunciation. Remember to use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.
琢 or something close to it
琢 (zhuó) vs 切 (qiē) — use 琢 when emphasizing the polishing or refining process of stones, while 切 focuses more on the act of cutting or slicing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 琢 with 磨 due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '我琢这个石头' (I will 琢 this stone) instead of the more appropriate '我磨这个石头' (I will磨 this stone) can lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
Write 琢
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Practice writing 琢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 琢
琢 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.
Complete the Sentence
我从不闲坐着____磨：“我接下来做什么呢？”
I never, ever sit around thinking, "What shall I do next?"
Example Sentences for 琢 (3)
Word Family of 琢
Compound Meaning
What does 琢磨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 琢
While 琢 is primarily associated with jade, it can also refer to the cutting and polishing of other precious stones.
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