What does 挫折 mean in Chinese?

挫折 (cuò zhé) means "setback; reverse; check; defeat; frustration; disappointment; to frustrate; to discourage; to set sb back; to blunt; to subdue" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 6.

How do you pronounce 挫折?

挫折 is pronounced "cuò zhé" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 挫折?

挫折 is an HSK 6 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 6 on both the old and the new exam.

What characters make up 挫折?

挫折 is made up of the characters 挫, 折. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 挫折?

You can practice writing 挫折 using our stroke order tool.

挫折 (cuò zhé), setback

挫折

cuò zhé

setback; reverse; check; defeat

HSK 6verb

Characters in This Word

挫折

Definitions

(verb) setback
reverse
check
defeat
frustration
disappointment
to frustrate
to discourage
to set sb back
to blunt
to subdue

Example Sentences

人生总会遇到挫折。

Rénshēng zǒng huì yùdào cuòzhé

Life always encounters setbacks

Related Words

翻船(fān chuán)· to capsize

→

重挫(zhòng cuò)· devastating setback

→

鼻青眼肿(bí qīng yǎn zhǒng)· a black eye (idiom); serious injury to the face

→

倒灌(dào guàn)· to flow backwards (of water, because of flood, tide, wind etc)

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 6
HSK 2.0: HSK 6
HSK Lord study list: HSK 8 list

挫折: HSK 6 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 6 exam

Studying for HSK 6? Keep 挫折 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 6 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.