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March 24, 2026
厄è(e4)
The character 厄 (è) refers to adversity, difficulty, or distress. It is commonly used to describe situations that are challenging or troublesome, often with a connotation of being trapped or hindered by unfortunate circumstances.
Strokes4Radical厂Frequency#3986DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, facing adversity is often seen as a test of character and resilience, reflected in sayings that emphasize the importance of overcoming hardship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large rock (the radical 厂) blocking a path, representing a difficult obstacle. The sound 'è' can remind you of the distressing sound someone might make when they encounter a significant challenge.
Meanings of 厄
è(e4)
1adversity, difficulty, distress
2distressed
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 厄
厄Simplified
4Strokes
厂Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 厄
Podcast: 厄
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AI Study Notes for 厄
Quick Contrast
困 (kùn) - use 厄 (è) when emphasizing the aspect of adversity caused by external circumstances, while 困 (kùn) focuses more on being trapped or confined physically or metaphorically.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large rock (the radical 厂) blocking a path, representing a difficult obstacle. The sound 'è' can remind you of the distressing sound someone might make when they encounter a significant challenge.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 厄 with similar characters like 难 (nán), which also means difficulty but in a broader sense. This character is used more in literary or formal contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 厄 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be useful for learners at HSK Level 5 or higher who are exploring more nuanced expressions of emotion and adversity. Focus on recognizing it in literary texts and understanding its implications in context.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, facing adversity is often seen as a test of character and resilience, reflected in sayings that emphasize the importance of overcoming hardship.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 厄 with 悲 (bēi), which means sadness, leading to incorrect interpretations of phrases. For example, saying '我很厄' (Wǒ hěn è) instead of '我很悲' (Wǒ hěn bēi) when expressing sadness is a common error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 厄
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Grammar Patterns of 厄
厄 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
侍者把他们点的餐端了过来，格雷____姆签了单。
The waiter returned with their order and Graham signed the bill.
Example Sentences for 厄 (10)
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1
侍者把他们点的餐端了过来，格雷厄姆签了单。
shì zhě bǎ tā mén diǎn de cān duān le guò lái， ， gé léi è mǔ qiān le。
The waiter returned with their order and Graham signed the bill.
2
他轻松战胜了星期六击败厄尼·埃尔斯的加西亚。
tā qīng sōng zhàn shèng le xīng qī liù jī bài è ní· · āi ěr sī de jiā xī。
He easily overcame Garcia, Saturday's conqueror of Ernie Els.
Jean was extremely superstitious and believed the colour green brought bad luck.
6
他被派往厄立特里亚侦察敌军位置。
tā bèi pài wǎng è lì tè lǐ yà zhēn chá dí jūn wèi zhì。
He was sent to Eritrea to reconnoitre the enemy position.
7
最被同额赌注赌家看好的托比·托拜厄斯赢得了马特尔杯追逐赛。
zuì bèi tóng é dǔ zhù dǔ jiā kàn hǎo de tuō bǐ· · tuō bài è sī yíng dé le mǎ tè ěr bēi zhuī zhú。
The Martell Cup Chase was won by the evens favourite Toby Tobias.
8
“太遗憾了，”格雷厄姆略带挖苦地说道。
“ “ tài yí hàn，” le ，” gé léi è mǔ lüè dài wā kǔ dì。
"What a pity," Graham said with a hint of sarcasm.
9
弗莱厄蒂在愤怒的痉挛中发抖 ( 安东尼伯吉斯 )
fú lái è dì zài fèn nù de jìng luán zhōng fā dǒu( ( ān dōng ní bó jí)
Flaherty dithered in a little palsy of indignation ( Anthony Burgess )
10
这个家伙叫布赖厄利、比尔德利或什么类似的名字。
zhè gè jiā huǒ jiào bù lài è lì、 、 bǐ ěr dé lì huò shí mó lèi sì de míng。
This guy, his name was Briarly or Beardly or something.
Cultural Notes for 厄
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, facing adversity is often seen as a test of character and resilience, reflected in sayings that emphasize the importance of overcoming hardship.
Word Family of 厄
Words Containing This Character8
厄èdistressed
厄运èyùnbad luck厄運
厄瓜多尔Ecuador厄瓜多爾
厄尔尼诺El Niño, equatorial climate variation in the Pacific厄爾尼諾
厄立特里亚Eritrea厄立特里亞
厄尔尼诺现象El Niño effect, equatorial climatic variation over the Pacific Ocean厄爾尼諾現象
困厄in deep water
卡尔斯鲁厄Karlsruhe (city in Germany)卡爾斯魯厄
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 厄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 厄
You might encounter phrases like 厄运 (è yùn), meaning 'bad luck'.
It's more commonly found in written texts or formal speeches rather than in casual conversation.
You can think of 'è' as the sound of a sigh when facing difficulty.
