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絞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
絞jiǎointertwined; to twist, to wring; to hang a criminalx, 12 strokes, radical 糹
jiǎo(jiao3) T3
  1. 1intertwined; to twist, to wring; to hang a criminal
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March 24, 2026

絞jiǎo(jiao3)

The character 絞 (jiǎo) primarily means to intertwine or twist something, such as fabric or rope. It can also refer to the act of wringing out water or liquids. In a more severe context, it historically denotes the method of execution by hanging, reflecting its darker usage in criminal justice.

Strokes12Radical糹
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the method of execution by hanging was legally sanctioned and often discussed in literature and law texts, making the character 絞 significant in understanding historical attitudes towards crime and punishment.

Memory Tip

Imagine a twisted rope that is being wrung out to remove water. The character 絞 is like a rope with its twists (the horizontal lines) and loops (the vertical line), reminding you of the action of twisting and wringing.

Meanings of 絞

jiǎo(jiao3)
1intertwined; to twist, to wring; to hang a criminal
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 絞

絞Simplified
12Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 絞

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Podcast: 絞

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AI Study Notes for 絞

Quick Contrast

絞 (jiǎo) vs 扭 (niǔ) — use 絞 when referring specifically to twisting or wringing out, while 扭 is more general for twisting in various contexts.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 絞 (jiǎo) with similar-sounding words. It is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, especially in discussions about justice or execution. Common collocations include 絞刑 (jiǎoxíng, execution by hanging) and 絞水 (jiǎoshuǐ, to wring out water).

HSK Study Tips

Although not in the HSK vocabulary, understanding 絞 can enhance your comprehension of more complex texts. Focus on the nuances of its meanings in different contexts, especially in literature or historical references.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 絞 (jiǎo) with similar characters like 角 (jiǎo, angle) due to the similarity in pronunciation. Always remember that 絞 specifically relates to twisting or wringing actions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 絞

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Etymology of 絞

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

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 交 represents the sound. Simplified form of 絞.

Memory Hint

thread

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

Origin

絞 = 糹 + 交. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 絞

IDS Structure⿰糹交
絞Full Character
=
糹si1
left
交jiao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 絞?

How to say intertwined; to twist, to wring; to hang a criminal in Chinese

“intertwined; to twist, to wring; to hang a criminal” in Chinese is絞jiǎo

The character 絞 (jiǎo) primarily means to intertwine or twist something, such as fabric or rope. It can also refer to the act of wringing out water or liquids. In a more severe context, it historically denotes the method of execution by hanging, reflecting its darker usage in criminal justice.

When to use 絞

Be careful not to confuse 絞 (jiǎo) with similar-sounding words. It is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, especially in discussions about justice or execution. Common collocations include 絞刑 (jiǎoxíng, execution by hanging) and 絞水 (jiǎoshuǐ, to wring out water).

絞 or something close to it

絞 (jiǎo) vs 扭 (niǔ) — use 絞 when referring specifically to twisting or wringing out, while 扭 is more general for twisting in various contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 絞 (jiǎo) with similar characters like 角 (jiǎo, angle) due to the similarity in pronunciation. Always remember that 絞 specifically relates to twisting or wringing actions.

Write 絞

絞

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

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Word Family of 絞

Words Containing This Character17
绞jiǎoto wring絞
绞死to strangle絞死
心绞痛angina心絞痛
绞刑to execute by hanging絞刑
绞尽脑汁to rack one's brains絞盡腦汁
绞痛cramp絞痛
绞盘capstan絞盤
绞刑架gibbet絞刑架
绞架gallows絞架
绞索a noose for hanging criminals絞索
绞肉机meat grinder絞肉機
绞车winch絞車
双绞线UTP雙絞線
心如刀绞to feel a pain like a knife being twisted in one's heart (idiom)心如刀絞
绞肉minced meat絞肉
绞刀reamer絞刀
绞脑汁to rack one's brains絞腦汁
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 絞

What does 绞 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 絞

Common phrases include 絞刑 (jiǎoxíng, execution by hanging) and 絞水 (jiǎoshuǐ, to wring out water).

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