Definitions

jiāo a tumble; a fall

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "跤" is etymologically and structurally linked to the idea of legs becoming entangled or crossed. It is composed of the "foot" radical (足), which semantically anchors it in the realm of physical movement and the lower limbs, combined with "交" which functions as a phonetic component but also contributes the sense of crossing or intersecting. Historically, its meaning was closely associated with the act of stumbling or falling due to this leg entanglement, but over time its application narrowed and specialized. In modern usage, it almost exclusively appears in the compound "摔跤", which refers specifically to the sport or act of wrestling, thus shifting from a general description of a fall to the name of a formalized physical contest.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我摔了一

Wǒ shuāi le yī jiāo.

I had a fall.

小心别摔

Xiǎoxīn bié shuāijiāo.

Be careful not to fall.

弟弟在操场摔了。

Dìdi zài cāochǎng shuāijiāo le.

My younger brother fell on the playground.

她跑步时摔了一

Tā pǎobù shí shuāi le yī jiāo.

She had a fall while running.

运动很有趣。

Shuāijiāo yùndòng hěn yǒuqù.

Wrestling sport is very interesting.

他在比赛中摔了一

Tā zài bǐsài zhōng shuāi le yī jiāo.

He had a fall during the competition.

避免摔要注意地面。

Bìmiǎn shuāijiāo yào zhùyì dìmiàn.

To avoid falling, pay attention to the ground.

后他立即站了起来。

Shuāijiāo hòu tā lìjí zhàn le qǐlái.

After falling, he immediately stood up.