翘

• Pinyin: qiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 翘 = 羽 (feather radical — something light that rises) + 尧 (phonetic — tall, raised)

Meaning

To tilt upward; to stick up; to raise one end of something. Also used colloquially for playing truant (翘课) or for something that is raised or curved upward.

Has multiple meanings depending on context: (1) physically tilted or raised upward, as in 翘尾巴 (tail raised up — cocky); (2) to play truant or skip class (翘课); (3) in craftsmanship, a curved or upturned edge. The 'skip class' usage is informal and very common among students.

Examples

1. 桌子腿磨损不均，导致一角微微翘起，放东西时会晃动。 One table leg is more worn than the others, so one corner sticks up slightly and the table wobbles when you set things on it.
2. 他翘课去网吧打游戏，结果被班主任发现并通知了家长。 He cut class to play games at an internet café, and the homeroom teacher found out and notified his parents.
3. 新款运动鞋的鞋头微微上翘，穿起来看起来更加轻盈灵动。 The toe of the new running shoes curves up slightly, making them look lighter and more agile when you wear them.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, education, crafts

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 地板铺设不当，长期受潮后多处出现翘起变形的情况，业主已向物业提出维修申请。(The flooring was not laid properly, and after prolonged exposure to moisture, multiple sections have warped and tilted upward; the owner has submitted a repair request to the property management.)
• 期末考试前一周，他仍然翘课去参加朋友的聚会，结果多门功课未能通过，不得不重新补考。(One week before the final exams, he still skipped class to attend a friend's gathering; as a result, he failed several subjects and had no choice but to resit them.)

Don't Say

• 他翘了两天班 — while 翘课 (skip class) is standard, 翘班 (skip work) is less formal; in professional contexts say 旷工 (absent from work without leave) or 请假 (take leave) instead

Origin & History

翘 = 羽 + 尧 (feathers raised — something lifted or tilted upward)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal