絀 (chù) - Deficient & inadequate

絀Tone 4

chù ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

絀 · chù

Deficient;

inadequate;

short of;

poor quality;

clumsy;

awkward.

Deficientinadequateshort of

Usage highlights

Clumsy and dullAwkward in speechCrude workmanshipHumble opinionClumsy writing stylePoor strategy

Synonyms

  • 笨— stupid; clumsy
  • 劣— inferior; poor quality
  • 陋— crude; coarse
  • 钝— dull; blunt

Antonyms

  • 巧— skillful; clever
  • 优— excellent; superior
  • 精— refined; exquisite
  • 敏— agile; quick

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • His financial situation is quite strained (手头拮据).
  • The performance was rather clumsy (表演拙劣).
  • I am not good at expressing myself (拙于言辞).
  • This is just my humble opinion (拙见).

Collocations

  • Clumsy and dull(拙笨)
  • Awkward in speech(拙口笨腮)
  • Crude workmanship(拙工)
  • Humble opinion(拙见)
  • Clumsy writing style(拙笔)
  • Poor strategy(拙策)

Idioms

  • Making up for clumsiness with diligence(勤能补拙)
  • Clumsy tongue and dull mouth(拙口钝腮)
  • Clumsy words but sincere meaning(辞拙意诚)
  • Clumsy wife cooking rice(拙妻煮饭)
  • Clumsy craftsman(拙匠)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally used as a humble term when referring to one's own work, opinions, or abilities in Chinese culture.
  • Often appears in classical Chinese texts describing modest self-assessment or genuine shortcomings.
  • The character embodies the Confucian virtue of humility and self-criticism.

FAQ