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波折 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
波折bōzhétwists and turnsHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #21686, Very Hard
bōzhé(bo1zhe2)bo zhe T1
  1. 1twists and turns
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March 24, 2026

波折bōzhé(bo1zhe2)

波折 refers to unexpected difficulties or obstacles encountered along a journey or process. It often implies a series of challenges that can affect the outcome of a situation, making it a common expression in both personal and professional contexts.

Strokes15Frequency#21686DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese literature and storytelling, the concept of facing波折 is a common theme, reflecting the belief that overcoming obstacles is essential for personal growth and success.

Memory tip

Imagine a river (波) that twists and turns (折) along its path, facing various rocks and obstacles. Just as the river navigates these challenges, we too encounter波折 in our lives, reminding us of the unpredictability of our journeys.

Meanings of 波折

bōzhé(bo1zhe2)
1twists and turns
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About 波折

波折Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 波折

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Podcast: 波折

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AI study notes for 波折

Quick Contrast

波动 (bōdòng) refers to fluctuations or variations, while 波折 (bōzhé) emphasizes unexpected difficulties or obstacles; use 波折 when highlighting challenges rather than mere changes.

Usage Notes

波折 is typically used in a narrative context to describe a challenging experience. Be careful not to confuse it with similar phrases like '困难' (difficulty), which is broader and less specific. The term is more formal and often used in written language.

HSK Study Tips

While 波折 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of other HSK terms related to challenges, such as '困难' (difficulty) and '挑战' (challenge). Focus on the context in which you might encounter this word in literature or discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 波折 with '挫折' (setback), which has a more permanent connotation of failure. For instance, saying '我遇到很多挫折' (I encountered many setbacks) implies a more serious situation than '波折'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 波折

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Component characters

波BōPoland
HSK 78 strokes氵
View full entry
折shéto break (e.g. stick or bone)
HSK 67 strokes扌
View full entry

How to say twists and turns in Chinese

“twists and turns” in Chinese is波折bōzhé

波折 refers to unexpected difficulties or obstacles encountered along a journey or process. It often implies a series of challenges that can affect the outcome of a situation, making it a common expression in both personal and professional contexts.

When to use 波折

波折 is typically used in a narrative context to describe a challenging experience. Be careful not to confuse it with similar phrases like '困难' (difficulty), which is broader and less specific. The term is more formal and often used in written language.

波折 or something close to it

波动 (bōdòng) refers to fluctuations or variations, while 波折 (bōzhé) emphasizes unexpected difficulties or obstacles; use 波折 when highlighting challenges rather than mere changes.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 波折 with '挫折' (setback), which has a more permanent connotation of failure. For instance, saying '我遇到很多挫折' (I encountered many setbacks) implies a more serious situation than '波折'.

Write 波折

波
折

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Cultural Notes for 波折

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the notion of overcoming obstacles is often celebrated as a personal triumph, while in Chinese culture, it is seen as a necessary part of life's journey, emphasizing resilience.

Frequently asked questions about 波折

You can say '在这个项目中,我们经历了许多波折' (In this project, we encountered many twists and turns).

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