挠

撓

náo

尧 + 扌

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

náo (verb) to scratch

náo (verb) to thwart; to interfere with

náo (verb) to yield; to give in

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 尧 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撓.

Semantic: 扌 Phonetic: 尧

About

挠 is a phonosemantic compound: the hand radical 扌 provides the meaning, while the component 尧 (náo) gives the sound. The traditional form 撓 uses the same radical with the more complex phonetic 堯. The character primarily denotes the physical act of scratching or scraping with fingers or claws, as in relieving an itch. Figuratively, it means to hinder or thwart someone's plans, and to yield or flinch under force or pressure.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我在挠痒痒。

Wǒ zài náo yǎngyang.

I am scratching an itch.

别挠那个伤口。

Bié náo nàgè shāngkǒu.

Don't scratch that wound.

小猫喜欢挠沙发。

Xiǎo māo xǐhuan náo shāfā.

The kitten likes to scratch the sofa.

这个问题让我挠头。

Zhège wèntí ràng wǒ náo tóu.

This problem makes me scratch my head.

他挠了挠发痒的鼻子。

Tā náo le náo fāyǎng de bízi.

He scratched his itchy nose.

挠痒可以暂时缓解不适。

Náo yǎng kěyǐ zànshí huǎnjiě bùshì.

Scratching can temporarily relieve discomfort.

没有人能阻挠他的决定。

Méiyǒu rén néng zǔnáo tā de juédìng.

No one can hinder his decision.

持续的挠抓会导致皮肤损伤。

Chíxù de náozhuā huì dǎozhì pífū sǔnshāng.

Persistent scratching can lead to skin damage.

Related Characters

Component: 尧

Component: 扌

挠