Meanings of 弔
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About 弔
Podcast: 弔
Podcast: 弔
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AI Study Notes for 弔
A common mistake is confusing 弔 with other similar characters like 挂 (guà), which means 'to hang' but in a more general sense. 弔 is more formal and often used in written condolences. Be mindful of the context, as it is rarely used in casual conversation.
Since 弔 is not included in the HSK, learners should focus on understanding its usage in literary and formal contexts. Connecting it with related words like 哀悼 (āidào), which means 'to mourn,' can enhance vocabulary around themes of loss and condolence.
Learners often misuse 弔 in informal settings, where more casual expressions of sympathy should be used. For example, saying '我很弔你' (Wǒ hěn diào nǐ) is incorrect; a more appropriate phrase would be '我为你感到难过' (Wǒ wèi nǐ gǎndào nánguò), meaning 'I feel sad for you.'
Pronunciation of 弔
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Etymology of 弔
A corpse 弓 hanged on a rope 丨
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 弔
- 1The giveawayA corpse 弓 hanged on a rope 丨
- 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 弔? 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 弔
Identify the Components
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How to say to suspend, to hang; to pity, to condole in Chinese
“to suspend, to hang; to pity, to condole” in Chinese is弔
The character 弔 (diào) primarily means 'to suspend' or 'to hang.' It is often used in the context of expressing condolences, particularly in funerals or memorials, signifying a sense of pity or mourning for the deceased. This character embodies a somber aspect of human emotion and interaction in the face of loss.
When to use 弔
A common mistake is confusing 弔 with other similar characters like 挂 (guà), which means 'to hang' but in a more general sense. 弔 is more formal and often used in written condolences. Be mindful of the context, as it is rarely used in casual conversation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 弔 in informal settings, where more casual expressions of sympathy should be used. For example, saying '我很弔你' (Wǒ hěn diào nǐ) is incorrect; a more appropriate phrase would be '我为你感到难过' (Wǒ wèi nǐ gǎndào nánguò), meaning 'I feel sad for you.'
Write 弔
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Practice writing 弔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 弔
Compound Meaning
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Frequently Asked Questions about 弔
You can say '我为他的去世感到很弔' (Wǒ wèi tā de qùshì gǎndào hěn diào), which means 'I feel very sorry for his passing.'
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