蹉 (cuō) - To waste time & to slip

蹉Tone 1

cuō ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

蹉 · cuō

To waste time;

to slip;

to make a mistake;

to stumble;

to pass (time) idly.

To waste timeto slipto make a mistake

Usage highlights

Waste timeSlip and fallWasted yearsStumble and fallMiss an opportunityIdle away time

Synonyms

  • 误— to err; to miss
  • 废— to waste; to abandon
  • 失— to lose; to miss

Antonyms

  • 珍— to treasure; to value
  • 惜— to cherish; to treasure
  • 抓— to grasp; to seize

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Time slips away (蹉跎岁月).
  • He stumbled on the stairs (在楼梯上蹉了一下).
  • Don't waste your youth (不要蹉跎青春).
  • Opportunities slipped by (机会蹉跎).

Collocations

  • Waste time(蹉跎)
  • Slip and fall(蹉跌)
  • Wasted years(蹉跎岁月)
  • Stumble and fall(蹉跎)
  • Miss an opportunity(蹉失)
  • Idle away time(蹉跎光阴)

Idioms

  • Let years slip by without accomplishing anything(蹉跎岁月)
  • Stumble and fall; make a mistake(蹉跎失足)
  • Waste time and miss opportunities(蹉跎自误)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical poetry and literature to express regret over wasted time or missed opportunities.
  • The character appears in the famous idiom 蹉跎岁月, which carries a strong moral lesson about the value of time.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, wasting time is considered a serious failing, making this character carry negative connotations.

FAQ