蹙 (cù) - to knit (one's brows) & to frown

蹙Tone 4

cù ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

蹙 · cù

to knit (one's brows);

to frown;

cramped;

urgent;

distressed;

to press together.

to knit (one's brows)to frowncramped

Usage highlights

to frowncramped and narrowurgent and criticalto press togetherdistressed expressionto shrink back in fear

Synonyms

  • 皱— to wrinkle; to crease
  • 愁— to worry; distressed
  • 迫— urgent; pressing

Antonyms

  • 舒— to stretch; to relax; comfortable
  • 展— to spread out; to unfold

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He frowned in deep thought (蹙眉).
  • The situation is urgent and critical (局势蹙迫).
  • She knitted her brows with worry (愁眉不展).
  • The space was cramped and narrow (空间蹙狭).

Collocations

  • to frown(蹙眉)
  • cramped and narrow(蹙狭)
  • urgent and critical(蹙迫)
  • to press together(蹙聚)
  • distressed expression(蹙容)
  • to shrink back in fear(蹙缩)

Idioms

  • In dire straits, at the end of one's rope(穷蹙无路)
  • Frowning and sighing(蹙额叹息)
  • To force someone into a difficult position(蹙之使困)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese literature to describe facial expressions of worry, concentration, or distress.
  • The character conveys a sense of physical constriction or psychological pressure.
  • In traditional physiognomy, frequent frowning (蹙眉) was sometimes interpreted as a sign of a worrisome disposition.

FAQ