Definitions

cuò (verb) to frustrate; to discourage; to dampen
cuò (verb) to oppress; to repress
cuò (noun) setback; failure; frustration

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "挫" has consistently been composed of the hand radical (扌) on the left, indicating an action performed with the hand, combined with the component "坐" on the right, which primarily provides phonetic guidance. Its core etymological meaning relates to the physical act of pressing down, subduing, or breaking, as in the bending or breaking of an object by force. From this concrete foundation, the character’s semantic field broadened to encompass more abstract and psychological dimensions, such as the thwarting of plans or the diminishing of spirit, leading to its common modern meanings of frustration, setback, or defeat. While its graphical structure has remained stable, its application shifted significantly from denoting a direct, physical intervention to describing the experience of being hindered or disheartened, a transition that reflects the conceptual movement from external action to internal consequence.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

遇到折很正常。

Yù dào cuòzhé hěn zhèngcháng.

It's normal to encounter setbacks.

这次失败伤了他的信心。

Zhè cì shībài cuòshāngle tā de xìnxīn.

This failure damaged his confidence.

球队的士气受到了严重折。

Qiúduì de shìqì shòudàole yánzhòng cuòzhé.

The team's morale suffered a serious setback.

我们必须败这个阴谋。

Wǒmen bìxū cuòbài zhège yīnmóu.

We must foil this conspiracy.

暂时的折不会让我们放弃。

Zànshí de cuòzhé bù huì ràng wǒmen fàngqì.

Temporary setbacks will not make us give up.

他的锐气在现实中屡受败。

Tā de ruìqì zài xiànshí zhōng lǚ shòu cuòbài.

His drive has been repeatedly frustrated in reality.

这个计划因资金问题受了。

Zhège jìhuà yīn zījīn wèntí shòu cuò le.

This plan was thwarted due to funding issues.

经济折是暂时的,信心比黄金更重要。

Jīngjì cuòzhé shì zànshí de, xìnxīn bǐ huángjīn gèng zhòngyào.

Economic setbacks are temporary; confidence is more important than gold.