摔跤

• Pinyin: shuāi jiāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 摔 = 扌(hand) + 率 (throw down); 跤 = 足 (foot) + 交 (intersect/stumble)

Meaning

To fall down; to trip and fall. Also refers to wrestling as a traditional sport. Functions as both a verb and a noun depending on context.

中国式摔跤 is a traditional Chinese wrestling art. In everyday speech, 摔跤 most often means to stumble and fall accidentally, while in sports contexts it refers to the discipline of wrestling.

Examples

1. 孩子在操场上摔跤，膝盖蹭破了皮。 The child fell on the playground and scraped his knee.
2. 运动员凭借精湛技术在摔跤比赛中夺得金牌。 Thanks to superb technique, the athlete won a gold medal in wrestling.
3. 路面结冰，行人稍不留意就容易摔跤。 When the road is icy, pedestrians can easily slip and fall if they’re not careful.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 老人在浴室里摔跤后被紧急送往医院救治。(The elderly person fell in the bathroom and was urgently taken to hospital for treatment.)
• 他自幼练习摔跤，体格健壮，反应敏捷。(He has practised wrestling since childhood and has a strong physique and quick reflexes.)

Don't Say

• 他摔跤了比赛 — use 在摔跤比赛中输了; 摔跤 alone does not mean to lose a competition

Origin & History

摔 (to fall/throw down) + 跤 (stumble)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal