绞 (jiǎo) - to twist & to wring

绞Tone 3

jiǎo ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

绞 · jiǎo

to twist;

to wring;

to wind;

to entangle;

to execute by hanging;

a measure for skeins of yarn.

to twistto wringto wind

Usage highlights

to twistto wring outstrangulationstomach crampsto entangleskein of yarn

Synonyms

  • 拧— to twist; to wring
  • 扭— to twist; to turn

Antonyms

  • 松— to loosen; to relax
  • 解— to untie; to undo

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She twisted the wet towel (绞毛巾).
  • The rope was tightly wound (绞在一起).
  • He suffered from a stomach ache (肚子绞疼).
  • This is a skein of yarn (一绞线).

Collocations

  • to twist(绞拧)
  • to wring out(绞干)
  • strangulation(绞杀)
  • stomach cramps(绞痛)
  • to entangle(绞缠)
  • skein of yarn(一绞线)

Idioms

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

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character combines the silk radical (纟) with 交 (to cross), depicting the crossing and twisting of threads.
  • Historically associated with textile production and the measurement of yarn.
  • Used in the context of capital punishment (绞刑) in traditional Chinese law.

FAQ