遭 (zāo) — to encounter (something unpleasant), to suffer, to meet with
Definition
遭 (zāo) is a formal/written verb meaning 'to encounter, to suffer' — almost always something negative (disaster, setback, opposition). Typically combines with 到 as 遭到 + noun.
verb
to encounter (something unpleasant)to sufferto meet with
Examples
- 。Tā zài nà cì shì gù zhōng zāo shòu le zhòng shāng.He suffered serious injuries in that accident.
- 。Zhè jiā gōng sī zuì jìn zāo dào le yán zhòng de cái wù wēi jī.This company recently encountered a serious financial crisis.
- 。Tā de tí àn zāo dào le fǎn duì.His proposal met with opposition.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòmovement
Sound part声符shēngfú
曹
曹cáo遭zāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
遭 pairs 辶, the walking part, with 曹, which gives the sound; the shape is for meeting on the road.
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