(jiǎo) - to twist & to wring

Tone 3

jiǎo | 12 strokes | radical:

· jiǎo

to twist;

to wring;

to wind;

to hang by the neck;

to entangle;

to mix;

to knead;

to squeeze;

to extort;

a measure word for skeins of yarn.

to twistto wringto wind

Usage highlights

Twist ropeDeath by hangingBrainstormingKnead fillingStranded wireTwist together

Synonyms

  • to twist; to turn
  • to wring; to screw
  • to entangle; to wind

Antonyms

  • to loosen; to relax
  • to untie; to solve

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Twist the rope tightly (绞绳子).
  • The criminal was sentenced to hanging (绞刑).
  • She kneaded the dough for the dumplings (绞饺子馅).
  • A skein of yarn (一绞线).

Collocations

  • Twist rope(绞绳子)
  • Death by hanging(绞刑)
  • Brainstorming(绞尽脑汁)
  • Knead filling(绞肉馅)
  • Stranded wire(绞合线)
  • Twist together(绞在一起)

Idioms

  • To rack one's brains(绞尽脑汁)
  • Heart-wrenching pain(心如刀绞)
  • Entangled and difficult to separate(绞缠不清)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with capital punishment (绞刑), giving it a somber connotation.
  • Used in textile and culinary contexts, referring to the action of twisting or mixing.
  • The character's radical (糸 - silk/mthread) indicates its original connection to fibers and twisting actions.

FAQ