脱

脫

tuō

兑 + 月

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

tuō (verb) to take off; to remove; to shed

tuō (verb) to escape; to get away from

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 兑 represents the sound. Simplified form of 脫.

Semantic: ⺼ Phonetic: 兑

About

The simplified character 脱 derives from the traditional 脫, a phonosemantic compound. Its structure combines ⺼, the 'meat' radical (simplified to 月), which relates to the body, and the phonetic component 兑. The earliest recorded uses refer to the shedding of skin, hair, or flesh. From this literal, physical starting point, the meaning shifted to the common act of taking off clothing, shoes, or accessories. Over time, the character's semantic range extended into the abstract, encompassing notions of detachment, breaking free from constraints, escaping danger, or separating oneself from a group or confining situation.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他脱下了外套。

Tā tuō xià le wàitào.

He took off his jacket.

请脱掉你的鞋子。

Qǐng tuō diào nǐ de xiézi.

Please take off your shoes.

蛇每年都会脱皮。

Shé měi nián dōu huì tuō pí.

Snakes shed their skin every year.

他终于脱离了危险。

Tā zhōngyú tuōlí le wēixiǎn.

He finally escaped from danger.

他的计划与现实脱节了。

Tā de jìhuà yǔ xiànshí tuōjié le.

His plan is out of touch with reality.

她的风格很脱俗。

Tā de fēnggé hěn tuōsú.

Her style is very refined.

他最近脱发很严重。

Tā zuìjìn tuōfà hěn yánzhòng.

He has been losing hair severely recently.

由于工作压力，他逐渐脱离了社交圈子。

Yóuyú gōngzuò yālì, tā zhújiàn tuōlí le shèjiāo quānzi.

Due to work pressure, he gradually withdrew from social circles.

Related Characters

Component: 兑

Component: 月

脱