捶 (chuí) - To beat & to pound

捶Tone 2

chuí ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

捶 · chuí

To beat;

to pound;

to strike with a fist or implement;

to thump.

To beatto poundto strike with a fist or implement

Usage highlights

Beat with a fistPound the backThump the chestHammer flatBeat to deathPound meat

Synonyms

  • 打— to hit; to strike
  • 击— to strike; to hit
  • 敲— to knock; to tap

Antonyms

  • 揉— to knead; to rub gently
  • 抚— to stroke; to caress

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was beaten with a stick (被棍子捶打).
  • She pounded the dough to make bread (捶面团做面包).
  • He thumped the table in anger (生气地捶桌子).
  • Massage involves tapping the muscles (按摩包括捶打肌肉).

Collocations

  • Beat with a fist(捶打)
  • Pound the back(捶背)
  • Thump the chest(捶胸)
  • Hammer flat(捶平)
  • Beat to death(捶死)
  • Pound meat(捶肉)

Idioms

  • Beat one's chest and stamp one's feet(捶胸顿足)
  • Pounding the back and rubbing the legs(捶背揉腿)
  • Beat and hammer into shape(捶打成形)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Associated with traditional massage techniques in Chinese medicine, where light pounding (捶背) is used to relieve muscle tension.
  • Often appears in descriptions of emotional outbursts, particularly grief or anger (e.g., 捶胸顿足).
  • Historically linked to blacksmithing and metalworking processes where hammering was essential.

FAQ