Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
兀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
兀wùweak; lameag, 3 strokes, radical 兀, rank #26803, Very Hard
兀wùrising to a heightunknown, 3 strokes, radical 兀, rank #26803, Very Hard
兀wùtoweringunknown, 3 strokes, radical 兀, rank #26803, Very Hard
兀wùbaldunknown, 3 strokes, radical 兀, rank #26803, Very Hard
兀wùsurname Wuunknown, 3 strokes, radical 兀, rank #26803, Very Hard
wù(Wu4) T4
  1. 1weak; lame
  2. 2rising to a height
Also a Chinese surname, Wu — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

兀wù(Wu4)

The character 兀 (wù) primarily conveys the meanings of being weak or lame, but it also relates to towering heights or baldness. It is often used in literary contexts and can refer to a surname, especially Wu. The character can imply a sense of elevation, both physically and metaphorically.

Strokes3Radical兀Frequency#26803DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, baldness can symbolize wisdom and maturity, often associated with monks or sages. The character 兀 can also relate to the philosophy of elevation, where reaching a high status is admired.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bald eagle (the character's pronunciation, wù, sounds like 'who') soaring high in the sky, representing both weakness (in terms of a bald head) and towering heights. The character 兀 resembles a person with a bald head looking upwards, emphasizing the contrast between being grounded and reaching for the heights.

Meanings of 兀

wù(Wu4)
1weak; lame
2rising to a height
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 兀

兀Simplified
3Strokes
兀Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 兀

JasonAmy

Podcast: 兀

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 兀

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in literary or formal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; pronunciation is crucial. Common collocations include terms related to baldness or elevation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 兀 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it presents an opportunity for learners to explore less common characters that enrich their understanding of the language. Focus on its usage in literary texts and familiarize yourself with its variations within different contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 兀 with other characters that have similar sounds or appearances, such as 物 (wù, meaning 'thing'). Ensure you remember its unique meaning related to weakness and elevation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 兀

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 兀 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 兀

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a platform that makes things taller.

Memory Hint

Cutting 一 off the feet 儿

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 兀

Pictograph of a platform that makes things taller.

  1. 1The giveawayCutting 一 off the feet 儿
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 兀? 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 兀?

Decomposition of 兀

IDS Structure⿱一儿
兀Full Character
=
一yi1
top
儿er2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 兀?

How to say weak; lame in Chinese

“weak; lame” in Chinese is兀wù

The character 兀 (wù) primarily conveys the meanings of being weak or lame, but it also relates to towering heights or baldness. It is often used in literary contexts and can refer to a surname, especially Wu. The character can imply a sense of elevation, both physically and metaphorically.

When to use 兀

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in literary or formal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; pronunciation is crucial. Common collocations include terms related to baldness or elevation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 兀 with other characters that have similar sounds or appearances, such as 物 (wù, meaning 'thing'). Ensure you remember its unique meaning related to weakness and elevation.

Write 兀

兀

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 兀

兀 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

窗上蒙了水汽,向外望去,原本突____的街灯变得模糊起来。

The windows misted, blurring the stark streetlight.

Example Sentences for 兀 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
窗上蒙了水汽,向外望去,原本突兀的街灯变得模糊起来。

chuāng shàng mēng le shuǐ qì, , xiàng wài wàng, qù , yuán běn tū wù de jiē dēng biàn dé mó hū。

The windows misted, blurring the stark streetlight.
2
鲜花摆上之后,突兀的混凝土墙便显得柔和起来。

xiān huā bǎi shàng zhī hòu, , tū wù de hùn níng tǔ qiáng biàn xiǎn dé róu hé qǐ。

Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers.
3
兀鹰已经在绕着动物的尸体盘旋了.

wù yīng yǐ jīng zài rào zháo dòng wù de shī tǐ pán xuán le.

The vultures were already circling around the dead animal.

Word Family of 兀

Words Containing This Character6
兀wùbald
突兀lofty or towering
兀鹫vulture兀鷲
兀自yet
兀立to stand upright and motionless
兀鹰bald eagle兀鷹
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 兀 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 兀

兀 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, as it is more often found in literary contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 兀?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.