遭 (zāo) - To encounter & to suffer

遭Tone 1

zāo ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

遭 · zāo

To encounter;

to suffer;

to undergo (usually misfortune or an event);

a time;

an instance.

To encounterto sufferto undergo (usually misfortune or an event)

Usage highlights

Suffer misfortuneEncounter disasterMeet with misfortuneBe robbedUndergo hardshipFirst time

Synonyms

  • 遇— to meet; to encounter
  • 受— to receive; to suffer
  • 经历— to experience; to go through

Antonyms

  • 避— to avoid; to evade
  • 免— to avoid; to exempt

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He suffered a great misfortune (遭受苦难).
  • We encountered many difficulties (遭到很多困难).
  • This is my first time visiting (这是我第一次造访).
  • The plan met with strong opposition (计划遭到强烈反对).

Collocations

  • Suffer misfortune(遭难)
  • Encounter disaster(遭灾)
  • Meet with misfortune(遭殃)
  • Be robbed(遭抢)
  • Undergo hardship(遭受困苦)
  • First time(头一遭)

Idioms

  • Repeated setbacks(屡遭挫折)
  • Suffer a calamity(惨遭横祸)
  • Meet with misfortune(遭逢不测)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often carries a negative connotation, implying the experiencing of unfortunate events.
  • Can be used as a measure word for events or occurrences, particularly negative ones.
  • The character structure suggests movement (辶) along a path or through a situation (曹).

FAQ