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March 24, 2026
扰(擾)rǎo(rao3)
The character 扰 (rǎo) means to disturb or to agitate someone or something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone's peace or routine is interrupted, often causing annoyance or trouble. This word can describe both physical disturbances, such as noise, and emotional disturbances, like anxiety.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#14323DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining harmony is valued, so the concept of disturbing someone is particularly sensitive. This can be seen in social etiquette where being 'disturbing' can lead to social repercussions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a raucous crowd disturbing a peaceful scene. The character 扰 looks like a hand (扌) poking at a person (扰), symbolizing how one can disturb someone else's peace. The pronunciation 'rǎo' can be remembered by thinking of 'rowdy,' which connects to the idea of being disturbed.
Meanings of 扰
rǎo(rao3)
1to disturb
2to poke, to disturb, to annoy, to agitate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 扰
扰Simplified
擾Traditional
7Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#14323Frequency Rank
Podcast: 扰
Podcast: 扰
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AI Study Notes for 扰
Quick Contrast
扰 (rǎo) vs 打扰 (dǎrǎo) — use 扰 for a more general sense of disturbance, while 打扰 specifically refers to interrupting someone, often with a request or inquiry.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a raucous crowd disturbing a peaceful scene. The character 扰 looks like a hand (扌) poking at a person (扰), symbolizing how one can disturb someone else's peace. The pronunciation 'rǎo' can be remembered by thinking of 'rowdy,' which connects to the idea of being disturbed.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 扰, as mispronouncing can lead to misunderstandings. It's often used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal discussions about social issues or mental health. Common collocations include '打扰' (dǎrǎo, to disturb) and '骚扰' (sāorǎo, to harass).
HSK Study Tips
While 扰 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it shares roots with related words like 打扰 (dǎrǎo). Students should focus on its usage in phrases that describe disturbance to build vocabulary related to social interactions and conflicts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining harmony is valued, so the concept of disturbing someone is particularly sensitive. This can be seen in social etiquette where being 'disturbing' can lead to social repercussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 扰 with other similar-sounding words. For example, using '扰' instead of '扰' in context can change the meaning significantly. Make sure to practice the correct tones and context to avoid these errors.
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Pronunciation of 扰
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Grammar Patterns of 扰
扰 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 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我的确非常喜欢这里宁静幽雅、不受打____的氛围。
I do very much appreciate the quietness and privacy here.
Common Confusions with 扰
扰vs饶
ráo
Similar in shape and sound but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to disturb"?
or
Usage Notes for 扰
Misuse in ContextCommon Error
Students often confuse 扰 with other similar verbs like 打扰 (dǎrǎo) which also means to disturb but is used in more specific contexts.
1
他总是打扰我学习。
He always disturbs my studying.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
他总是打____我学习。
He always disturbs my studying.
Example Sentences for 扰 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我的确非常喜欢这里宁静幽雅、不受打扰的氛围。
wǒ de què fēi cháng xǐ huān zhè lǐ níng jìng yōu yǎ、 、 bù shòu dǎ rǎo de fēn。
I do very much appreciate the quietness and privacy here.
2
我可以不受打扰继续我的工作了。
wǒ kě yǐ bù shòu dǎ rǎo jì xù wǒ de gōng zuò le。
I was able to get on with my work without interruption.
I'll leave you alone here so you can mull it over.
8
他一直被那些指控他有不正当商业行为的说法所困扰。
tā yī zhí bèi nà xiē zhǐ kòng tā yǒu bù zhèng dāng shāng yè háng wéi de shuō fǎ suǒ kùn rǎo。
He has been dogged by allegations of questionable business practices.
9
这是个为各种内城常见问题所困扰的社区。
zhè shì gè wéi gè zhǒng nèi chéng cháng jiàn wèn tí suǒ kùn rǎo de shè qū。
It is a neighborhood beset by all the usual inner-city problems.
10
亲爱的，好了，别这么大声说话打扰他。
qīn ài de， ， hǎo， le ， bié zhè mó dà shēng shuō huà dǎ。
Now don't talk so loud and bother him, honey.
Cultural Notes for 扰
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, being disturbed during work or study is often seen as disrespectful. The concept of '打扰' is taken seriously in professional environments, where focus and respect for others' time are valued.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, maintaining harmony is valued, so the concept of disturbing someone is particularly sensitive. This can be seen in social etiquette where being 'disturbing' can lead to social repercussions.
Word Family of 扰
Words Containing This Character20
打扰dǎrǎoto disturb打擾
干扰gānrǎoto disturb干擾
困扰kùnrǎoto perplex困擾
骚扰sāorǎoto disturb騷擾
扰rǎoto disturb擾
扰乱rǎoluànto disturb擾亂
性骚扰sexual harassment性騷擾
干扰素interferon干擾素
扰动to disturb擾動
侵扰to invade and harass侵擾
庸人自扰fig. to get upset over nothing庸人自擾
烦扰to bother煩擾
惊扰to alarm驚擾
纷扰turmoil紛擾
滋扰to cause trouble滋擾
搅扰to disturb攪擾
窜扰to invade and harass竄擾
微扰infinitesimal disturbance微擾
喧扰to disturb by noise喧擾
缠扰to harass纏擾
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 打扰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 扰
Some synonyms for 扰 include 打扰 (dǎrǎo), which also means 'to disturb', and 侵扰 (qīnrǎo), meaning 'to invade or intrude'. These words can be used interchangeably depending on the context.
扰 (rǎo) and 打扰 (dǎrǎo) both mean 'to disturb', but 打扰 is more commonly used in everyday conversation. 扰 can carry a slightly more formal or literary connotation, while 打扰 is often used in casual contexts like asking someone not to disturb you.
扰 (rǎo) means 'to disturb' or 'to annoy'. It can be used in various contexts, such as disturbing someone's peace or agitating a situation. The character can also imply poking or irritating someone.
You can use 扰 to describe actions that disturb or annoy someone, for example: '请不要打扰我' (qǐng bùyào dǎrǎo wǒ), which means 'Please do not disturb me'. It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as in phrases like '扰乱秩序' (rǎoluàn zhìxù), meaning 'to disrupt order'.
Common phrases include '打扰' (dǎrǎo, to disturb) and '骚扰' (sāorǎo, to harass), which are frequently used in everyday conversation.
Yes, while it is often used informally, 扰 can also appear in formal discussions, especially regarding social issues.
The character 扰 is pronounced with a third tone 'rǎo'. Focus on lowering your pitch and then rising when saying it.
