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March 24, 2026
扑(撲)pū(pu1)
The character 扑 (pū) primarily means to throw oneself at or to pounce on something. It can also imply an act of flapping or fluttering, as seen in the context of birds or other creatures that move quickly. Commonly used in situations involving an attack or a sudden movement, it conveys a sense of urgency or energy in the action.
Strokes5Radical扌Frequency#5802DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of pouncing or attacking can be related to martial arts, where quick, unexpected movements are essential. The concept of 'pū' is often illustrated in martial arts movies where fighters suddenly leap to strike their opponents.
Memory Tip
Imagine a playful puppy (扑 sounds like 'pū') that suddenly jumps to pounce on a butterfly. The radical 扌 (hand) suggests action, that the puppy is using its paws to flap and dive toward its target, making the act of 'pū' memorable and vivid.
Meanings of 扑
pū(pu1)
1to throw oneself at
2to pounce on
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 扑
扑Simplified
撲Traditional
5Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5802Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 扑
Podcast: 扑
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AI Study Notes for 扑
Quick Contrast
扑 (pū) vs 跳 (tiào) — use 扑 for actions involving pouncing or attacking, while 跳 is used for jumping or leaping.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a playful puppy (扑 sounds like 'pū') that suddenly jumps to pounce on a butterfly. The radical 扌 (hand) suggests action, that the puppy is using its paws to flap and dive toward its target, making the act of 'pū' memorable and vivid.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 扑 with similar verbs like 打 (dǎ), which means to hit or strike. While both can describe physical actions, 扑 emphasizes the suddenness and energy of attacking or pouncing. It's more informal, so be cautious using it in formal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 扑 expands on the themes of action and energy found in lower levels. Students should practice using it in various contexts, such as in idiomatic expressions or phrases related to sports or animals, to deepen their understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of pouncing or attacking can be related to martial arts, where quick, unexpected movements are essential. The concept of 'pū' is often illustrated in martial arts movies where fighters suddenly leap to strike their opponents.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes misuse 扑 when they mean to express a more gentle action like 轻拍 (qīng pāi) for 'lightly patting.' For example, saying '我扑她的肩膀' (wǒ pū tā de jiānbǎng) instead of '我轻拍她的肩膀' (wǒ qīng pāi tā de jiānbǎng) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 扑
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Grammar Patterns of 扑
扑 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 9 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
小孩走了5步，接着____通一声坐到了地上。
The child took five steps, and then sat down with a bump.
Firemen tried to free the injured and put out the blaze.
8
在最后的几秒钟，甘恩队的守门员凯文·坎特维尔扑出了两次射门。
zài zuì hòu de jī miǎo zhōng， ， gān ēn duì de shǒu mén yuán kǎi· wén · kǎn tè wéi ěr pū chū le liǎng cì。
In the final seconds, Gunn goalie Kevin Cantwell blocked two shots.
9
青蛙扑通一声跳回水中。
qīng wā pū tōng yī shēng tiào huí shuǐ zhōng。
The frog plopped back into the water.
10
那对双胞胎玩扑克牌的时候，弗朗西斯坐着看书。
nà duì shuāng bāo tāi wán pū kè pái de shí hòu， ， fú lǎng xī sī zuò zháo kàn。
While the twins played cards, Francis sat reading.
Cultural Notes for 扑
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of pouncing or attacking can be related to martial arts, where quick, unexpected movements are essential. The concept of 'pū' is often illustrated in martial arts movies where fighters suddenly leap to strike their opponents.
Word Family of 扑
Words Containing This Character20
扑pūto flap撲
扑克pūkèplaying cards撲克
扑灭to eradicate撲滅
扑克牌poker (card game)撲克牌
扑救firefighting撲救
扑通plop撲通
扑面directly in one's face撲面
扑朔迷离confusing撲朔迷離
反扑to counterattack反撲
相扑sumo wrestling相撲
扑鼻to assail the nostrils (of fragrance and odours)撲鼻
扑倒to fall down撲倒
猛扑to charge猛撲
拓扑(loanword) topology (math.)拓撲
扑腾flutter撲騰
红扑扑hóngpūpūred紅撲撲
粉扑powder puff (cosmetics)粉撲
扑空lit. to rush at thin air撲空
飞蛾扑火fatal attraction飛蛾撲火
扑打to swat撲打
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 扑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 扑
You might encounter phrases like 扑向 (pū xiàng), meaning 'to pounce towards,' or 扑灭 (pū miè), meaning 'to extinguish'.
While it often describes physical actions like attacking or fluttering, it can also metaphorically refer to devoting oneself energetically to a task.
