Meanings of 躓
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Podcast: 躓
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AI Study Notes for 躓
跌 (diē) - use 躓 (zhì) when emphasizing the act of stumbling or tripping specifically, while 跌 (diē) can refer to falling more generally.
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 'zhì', as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It's often used in more informal contexts when discussing personal failures or setbacks, so avoid using it in formal writing unless necessary. Common collocations include '躓倒' (to stumble) and '躓在' (to be frustrated by).
While 躓 is not part of the standard HSK levels, learners can connect it to other words related to movement or failure, such as 跌 (diē, to fall) and 失败 (shībài, to fail). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and understanding its metaphorical uses to enhance comprehension.
Learners may confuse 躓 with similar-sounding words like 只 (zhǐ, only), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. Make sure to understand the context of 'stumbling' versus 'only'.
Pronunciation of 躓
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Etymology of 躓
foot
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 躓
- 1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half質 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayfoot
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 躓? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Decomposition of 躓
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How to say to stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustrated in Chinese
“to stumble, to totter; to fail, to be frustrated” in Chinese is躓
The character 躓 (zhì) means to stumble or totter, often used in the context of physical movement, such as tripping while walking. It can also metaphorically signify failure or frustration in achieving a goal, reflecting a sense of hindrance or setback. This dual meaning makes it applicable in both literal and figurative contexts.
When to use 躓
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 'zhì', as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It's often used in more informal contexts when discussing personal failures or setbacks, so avoid using it in formal writing unless necessary. Common collocations include '躓倒' (to stumble) and '躓在' (to be frustrated by).
躓 or something close to it
跌 (diē) - use 躓 (zhì) when emphasizing the act of stumbling or tripping specifically, while 跌 (diē) can refer to falling more generally.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 躓 with similar-sounding words like 只 (zhǐ, only), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. Make sure to understand the context of 'stumbling' versus 'only'.
Write 躓
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Practice writing 躓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 躓
Compound Meaning
What does 踬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 躓
It can mean 'to stumble' physically, like tripping while walking, or metaphorically as 'to fail' in a task.
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