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撓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
撓náoto yield; to scratch, to disturbx, 15 strokes, radical 扌
náo(nao2) T2
  1. 1to yield; to scratch, to disturb
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March 24, 2026

撓náo(nao2)

The character 撓 (náo) primarily means to scratch or to disturb. It can also imply yielding or giving in, often used in contexts where one is swayed or influenced by something. This word is frequently encountered in informal conversations and can describe both physical actions, like scratching, and metaphorical ones, like yielding to pressure.

Strokes15Radical扌
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of scratching is often associated with both physical relief and emotional expression. For instance, scratching an itch can symbolize yielding to a natural impulse, reflecting a deeper connection to one's desires and needs.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cat (the radical for scratching) playfully ‘scratching’ at a toy, causing it to move or ‘disturb’ its surroundings. The cat’s scratching action reminds you of the sound 'náo', making it easier to remember the character's meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 撓

náo(nao2)
1to yield; to scratch, to disturb
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 撓

撓Simplified
15Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 撓

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Podcast: 撓

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AI Study Notes for 撓

Quick Contrast

搔 (sāo) - use 撓 (náo) when implying a disturbance or yielding, while 搔 (sāo) specifically refers to scratching.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 撓 (náo) with similar-sounding words or characters that denote different actions, such as 挠 (náo), which also means to scratch but has a more playful connotation. This character is informal and should be avoided in formal writing; use it in casual conversations or contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 撓 (náo) is not part of HSK, learners at this level should focus on recognizing its components and how it relates to other action verbs. Understanding its practical uses can help expand vocabulary around actions and interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 撓 (náo) with 挠 (náo), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我撓我的手' instead of '我挠我的手' when referring to scratching your hand is a common error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 撓

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Etymology of 撓

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 尧 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撓.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)堯
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

撓 = 扌 + 堯. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 撓

IDS Structure⿰扌堯
撓Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
堯yao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 撓?

How to say to yield; to scratch, to disturb in Chinese

“to yield; to scratch, to disturb” in Chinese is撓náo

The character 撓 (náo) primarily means to scratch or to disturb. It can also imply yielding or giving in, often used in contexts where one is swayed or influenced by something. This word is frequently encountered in informal conversations and can describe both physical actions, like scratching, and metaphorical ones, like yielding to pressure.

When to use 撓

Common mistakes include confusing 撓 (náo) with similar-sounding words or characters that denote different actions, such as 挠 (náo), which also means to scratch but has a more playful connotation. This character is informal and should be avoided in formal writing; use it in casual conversations or contexts.

撓 or something close to it

搔 (sāo) - use 撓 (náo) when implying a disturbance or yielding, while 搔 (sāo) specifically refers to scratching.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 撓 (náo) with 挠 (náo), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我撓我的手' instead of '我挠我的手' when referring to scratching your hand is a common error.

Write 撓

撓

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

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Word Family of 撓

Words Containing This Character13
挠náoto scratch撓
阻挠zǔnáoto thwart阻撓
不屈不挠unyielding不屈不撓
挠头tricky撓頭
百折不挠to be indomitable百折不撓
抓挠to scratch抓撓
抓耳挠腮to tweak one's ears and scratch one's cheeks (as an expression of anxiety, delight, frustration etc) (idiom)抓耳撓腮
挠痒痒to tickle撓癢癢
挠曲to bend撓曲
痒痒挠backscratcher (made from bamboo etc)癢癢撓
挠钩iron hook at the end a long pole撓鉤
屈挠to surrender屈撓
挠率the torsion (of a space curve)撓率
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 撓

What does 挠 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 撓

While both characters mean to scratch, 撓 (náo) has a broader meaning that can include yielding or disturbance, whereas 挠 (náo) is more playful and specific to scratching.

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