撓 meaning and stroke order
To yield; to scratch, to disturb
How to write 撓, stroke by stroke
15 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 撓
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to scratch
- to thwart
- to yield
How 撓 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Hand.
扌 gives the meaning and 堯 hints at the sound.
Radical: 扌 (hand), shared by 342 characters on this site.
How to remember 撓
The hand radical 扌 on the left shows an action done with the hand, and 堯 (yáo) on the right gives the sound. Picture a hand reaching up to scratch, which is the basic idea of 撓 (náo).
撓 (náo) is used for scratching an itch and, in more formal words, for blocking or hindering someone. In everyday speech you hear 撓癢癢 (náoyǎngyang), to tickle or scratch an itch, and in news or formal writing you see 阻撓 (zǔnáo), to obstruct. Example: 他一直在阻撓我們的計劃。(Tā yīzhí zài zǔnáo wǒmen de jìhuà.) He keeps obstructing our plans.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 撓 (náo) with 繞 (rào, to wind around) and 燒 (shāo, to burn), since all share the 堯 part. Check the left side: the hand 扌 means scratch or hinder, the silk 糹 means wind, and the fire 火 means burn.
Common words with 撓
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 阻撓 | zǔnáo | to thwart; to obstruct (sth) | HSK 7-9 |
| 撓癢癢 | náoyǎngyang | to tickle |
Questions about 撓
How many strokes are in 撓?
撓 is written with 15 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 撓 mean?
撓 (náo) means to yield; to scratch, to disturb. A common word with it is 阻挠 (zǔnáo), meaning "to thwart; to obstruct (sth)".
How do you pronounce 撓?
撓 is pronounced náo, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 撓?
The radical of 撓 is 扌, which carries the idea of "hand". Dictionaries list 撓 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 撓?
撓 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 挠, used in mainland China and Singapore.
How do I say 'scratch my head' in Chinese using 撓?
You can say 撓頭 (náotóu), to scratch one's head. It is often used for being puzzled or embarrassed, as in 他撓了撓頭 (tā náo le náo tóu), he scratched his head.
What does 不屈不撓 mean?
不屈不撓 (bù qū bù náo) means unyielding or indomitable. Here 撓 carries its older sense of to yield or bend, so the idiom literally means not bending and not yielding.