绞

• Pinyin: jiǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 绞 = 纟(silk) + 交 — to twist, wring (like twisting fibers)

Meaning

To twist; to wring; to strangle. To apply rotating pressure to squeeze or tighten something.

Used for wringing out water from cloth, twisting ropes together, or executing by strangulation. Metaphorically describes mental anguish, as in 绞尽脑汁 (to rack one's brains). Can describe mechanical twisting actions.

Examples

1. 她把湿毛巾绞干，挂在阳台上晾晒。 She wrung out the wet towel and hung it on the balcony to dry.
2. 他绞尽脑汁也想不出解决办法。 He racked his brains but couldn't think of a solution.
3. 那种心痛的感觉，像有人在绞我的心。 That heartache felt like someone was wringing my heart.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, physical action, metaphorical

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 把拖把绞干再拖地。(Wring out the mop before mopping.)
• 他绞尽脑汁想办法。(He racked his brains thinking of a solution.)

Don't Say

• 用'绞'描述简单的旋转 (Don't use 绞 for simple rotation — it implies squeezing or wringing force; use 转 or 旋转 for plain spinning)

Origin & History

The character 绞 contains 纟(silk radical), indicating its connection to twisting fibers. The right component 交 provides both phonetic and semantic elements (crossing/twisting).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal