搓

cuō

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

Definitions

1. to rub or roll between the hands or fingers
2. to twist

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Character focus

Stroke order

12 strokes

Word relationships

Related words

1 item

扭

niǔ

to turn

扭 means to twist or turn something forcefully, not necessarily between hands; related action.

Synonyms

1 item

揉

róu

to knead

Both mean to rub with hands, but 搓 often implies rolling or twisting between palms, while 揉 is more general rubbing or kneading.

Usage notes

Collocations

Common objects with 搓 include 手 (hands), 绳子 (rope), 毛巾 (towel); often used in 搓澡 (scrub in bath) and 搓麻将 (play mahjong).

Cultural notes

搓麻将 is a popular social activity; the rubbing action refers to the mixing of tiles, not the strategic play.

Example Sentences

1 shown

天冷的时候，他不停地搓手。

When it's cold, he keeps rubbing his hands together.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 搓

to rub

to knead; to rub

washboard

to rub clean (garments)

搓衣板

cuō yī bǎn