Meanings of 推
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 推
Podcast: 推
Podcast: 推
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 推
推 (tuī) vs 推动 (tuīdòng) — use 推 for direct physical or metaphorical pushing, while 推动 implies promoting or driving forward an idea or initiative.
Imagine a big hand (the radical for 力, meaning strength) pushing a door forward. The word 'tuī' sounds like 'twee,' as if you're playfully pushing a friend to go first in a game. Visualize this hand urging someone forward, emphasizing the action of pushing.
Be mindful of the context when using 推; it can imply both physical and metaphorical pushing. Common collocations include 推迟 (tuīchí, to postpone) and 推动 (tuīdòng, to promote). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 退 (tuì), which means 'to retreat.'
As an HSK Level 4 word, 推 connects well with verbs of movement and action. Students should focus on its various applications in both literal and figurative contexts, particularly in phrases that involve decision-making or responsibility.
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 推 can be linked to the idea of community and collective responsibility, where individuals are often encouraged to 'push' others to fulfill their roles in society.
Learners often confuse 推 with 退 (tuì), which means to retreat or withdraw. For example, saying '我推这个计划' (wǒ tuī zhège jìhuà) to mean 'I reject this plan' is incorrect; instead, use '我拒绝这个计划' (wǒ jùjué zhège jìhuà).
Pronunciation of 推
Drill the tone of 推 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 推
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 隹 represents the sound.
hand
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 推?
Decomposition of 推
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 推?
Write 推
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 推 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 推
推 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
This pattern emphasizes the action of the verb, often used to clarify or provide additional information.
他是推开门的。
He is the one who pushed the door open.
Complete the Sentence
她一再____迟出发时间。
She kept postponing the departure time.
Common Confusions with 推
Both characters have similar pronunciations but different meanings; 退 focuses on withdrawal.
的 modifies nouns, while 得 is used to introduce complements or describe the manner of an action.
他推得很快。
的 modifies nouns, while 得 is used to introduce complements or describe the manner of an action.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to push"?
Usage Notes for 推
Be careful not to confuse 推 with 退; they have different meanings and usage contexts.
我推了他。
I pushed him.
Fill in the Blank
我____了他。
I pushed him.
Example Sentences for 推 (10)
Cultural Notes for 推
在中国文化中，推通常与朋友和家人之间的互动有关。比如，推是一个常见的社交行为，表示邀请或鼓励他人一起参与活动。
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 推 can be linked to the idea of community and collective responsibility, where individuals are often encouraged to 'push' others to fulfill their roles in society.
Word Family of 推
Compound Meaning
What does 推 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 推
Some examples include '推掉责任' (tuī diào zérèn), which means 'to shirk responsibility,' and '推迟会议' (tuīchí huìyì), meaning 'to postpone a meeting.' These examples illustrate the flexibility of the word in different scenarios.