Definition
挠 (náo) means 'to scratch (an itch) with fingernails' — it is gentler than 抓 (zhuā), which implies grabbing or scratching hard. In formal/literary contexts, 挠 can also mean 'to thwart' or 'to bend/yield', but the more common word for obstruct is 阻挠 (zǔ náo).
verb
to scratch (with fingernails)to thwartto obstructto bendto yield (in literary/phrasal use, e.g. 不屈不挠)
Easily confused
- 浇jiāolook-aliketo water (plants)
- 闹nàosound-alike(adjective) noisy, cacophonous
- 绕ràolook-aliketo go around; to circle; to make a detour
- 饶ráolook-aliketo let off, to forgive (leniently)
Examples
- ，挠。Wénzi yǎo de bāo hěn yǎng, bié yìzhí náo.The mosquito bite is very itchy, don't keep scratching it.
- ，挠。Dàjiā qíxīn xiélì, méiyǒu rén néng náo luàn wǒmen de jìhuà.We are united — no one can thwart our plans.
- ，。Tā miànduì kùnnan cóng bù qūfú, zhēn shì bù qū bù náo de jīngshén.He never yields in the face of difficulties — truly an indomitable spirit.
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