跤

jiāo

交 + 𧾷

Definitions

jiāo a tumble; a fall

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 交 represents the sound.

Semantic: 足 Phonetic: 交

About

跤 (jiāo) is formed as a phonosemantic compound: the left-side radical 足 (zú, foot) marks the semantic field of lower-limb actions, and the right-side component 交 (jiāo) indicates the sound. Its primary meaning is the act of tripping, stumbling, or falling down, typically due to loss of balance or a misstep. In addition to simple falling, the character is intrinsically tied to wrestling, a combat sport where the goal is to throw an opponent off their feet. This duality appears in everyday terms such as 摔跤, which can refer to either accidentally falling or engaging in a wrestling match.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我摔了一跤。

Wǒ shuāi le yī jiāo.

I had a fall.

小心别摔跤。

Xiǎoxīn bié shuāijiāo.

Be careful not to fall.

弟弟在操场摔跤了。

Dìdi zài cāochǎng shuāijiāo le.

My younger brother fell on the playground.

她跑步时摔了一跤。

Tā pǎobù shí shuāi le yī jiāo.

She had a fall while running.

摔跤运动很有趣。

Shuāijiāo yùndòng hěn yǒuqù.

Wrestling sport is very interesting.

他在比赛中摔了一跤。

Tā zài bǐsài zhōng shuāi le yī jiāo.

He had a fall during the competition.

避免摔跤要注意地面。

Bìmiǎn shuāijiāo yào zhùyì dìmiàn.

To avoid falling, pay attention to the ground.

摔跤后他立即站了起来。

Shuāijiāo hòu tā lìjí zhàn le qǐlái.

After falling, he immediately stood up.

Related Characters

Component: 交

Component: 𧾷

跤