How to Write 挫 (cuò) — Meaning “to defeat; to dampen; to frustrate”

Imagine your hand (扌) making someone sit down (坐) in defeat. This visual of forcing a person to sit helps you remember that 挫 means to defeat, frustrate, or dampen.

Write the left radical 扌 first (3 strokes), then the right side 坐: two "person" components (each 2 strokes) followed by 土 (3 strokes). Keep the right side slightly wider than the left; a common mistake is making the two "person" parts too close together.

挫's right side is 坐 (to sit), while 抨's right side is 平 (flat). 抨 means to verbally attack (e.g., 抨击 to criticize), whereas 挫 means to defeat or frustrate. The character 㧜 is very rare and not commonly used, so focus on distinguishing 挫 from 抨 by their right components and meanings.

挫 appears in words like 挫折 (setback) and 挫败 (to defeat). It is often used when discussing difficulties in life or work, such as "遇到挫折" (to encounter a setback). Although not in the HSK list, it is common in intermediate reading and carries a strong sense of overcoming obstacles.

Common words containing 挫 include: 挫折 (cuò zhé) — setback; frustration; 挫败 (cuò bài) — to defeat; to foil; to frustrate; 挫伤 (cuò shāng) — to bruise; to dampen (one's spirits).