邅 (zhān) - To move with difficulty & to hesitate

邅Tone 1

zhān ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

邅 · zhān

To move with difficulty;

to hesitate;

to be in a difficult situation;

to turn or change direction.

To move with difficultyto hesitateto be in a difficult situation

Usage highlights

Move with difficultyDifficult situationChange directionHesitant paceWandering journeyHard

Synonyms

  • 困— difficulty; hardship
  • 厄— adversity; distress
  • 蹇— lame; difficult

Antonyms

  • 顺— smooth; favorable
  • 畅— unobstructed; smooth

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cart moved with difficulty on the muddy road (邅回).
  • He hesitated at the crossroads of life (命运邅途).
  • The army changed direction to avoid the enemy (邅转).
  • They were in a difficult situation with no clear way out (邅厄).

Collocations

  • Move with difficulty(邅回)
  • Difficult situation(邅厄)
  • Change direction(邅转)
  • Hesitant pace(邅途)
  • Wandering journey(邅迹)
  • Hard-pressed circumstances(邅屯)

Idioms

  • To be in dire straits(邅困不堪)
  • To wander in hardship(邅回困顿)
  • To change course in difficulty(邅转变故)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often appears in classical Chinese literature describing difficult journeys or moral dilemmas.
  • Used in philosophical contexts to describe the challenging path of virtue or destiny.
  • Associated with the concept of 邅回 (zhān huí) meaning hesitant movement or circuitous route.

FAQ