cuòzhé: 挫折 - Setback, Frustration, Defeat

cuòzhé: 挫折 - Setback, Frustration, Defeat

Quick Summary

Keywords: cuòzhé, 挫折, setback in Chinese, Chinese word for frustration, how to use cuozhe, overcome adversity Chinese, failure in Chinese, Chinese culture resilience, dealing with defeat, HSK 5 vocabulary.
Summary: Discover the deep meaning of 挫折 (cuòzhé), a core Chinese term for “setback” or “frustration.” This page explores not just its translation but its cultural significance, representing the painful yet essential experience of being knocked down by life's challenges. Learn how understanding 挫折 is key to grasping Chinese concepts of resilience, perseverance, and the value of enduring hardship (吃苦 chī kǔ) on the path to success.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): cuòzhé
Part of Speech: Noun; Verb
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: A setback, frustration, or defeat that hinders progress and causes discouragement.
In a Nutshell: 挫折 (cuòzhé) is more than just a failed plan; it's the heavy feeling of being thwarted and knocked off course. Think of it as hitting a major roadblock that not only stops you but also leaves you feeling disheartened. While the event is negative, the ability to face and overcome 挫折 is a highly respected quality in Chinese culture, seen as a crucible that forges character.

Character Breakdown

挫 (cuò): This character combines the “hand” radical (扌) with a phonetic component 坐 (zuò). The original meaning is to push down, to blunt, or to knock back. It creates a powerful image of a force actively suppressing or repressing something.
折 (zhé): This character combines the “hand” radical (扌) with 斤 (jīn), an ancient character for an axe. The image is of a hand using an axe to break or snap something, like a branch. It means “to break, to snap, or to bend.”
How they combine: Together, 挫 (knock back) and 折 (break) create a vivid picture of being forcefully pushed back and broken. This combination perfectly captures the meaning of a significant, disheartening setback that can feel like it has “broken” your momentum or spirit.

Cultural Context and Significance

挫折 as a Test of Character: In Chinese culture, 挫折 is often viewed not merely as a negative event but as a fundamental test of a person's will and resilience. There is a strong cultural narrative that true success and strong character are forged by overcoming adversity. This is closely linked to the concept of 吃苦 (chī kǔ), literally “to eat bitterness,” which means to endure hardship. A person who has never faced 挫折 may be seen as naive or untested.
Comparison to “Failure” in the West: In some Western contexts, especially in entrepreneurship, “failure” can be framed positively as “failing fast” or a “learning opportunity.” While learning from 挫折 is also valued in Chinese culture, the term itself carries a much heavier emotional weight. It's not a casual pivot; it's a serious and often painful experience that must be endured with stoicism and perseverance. The emphasis is less on innovation through failure and more on building the inner strength to get back up after being knocked down. Overcoming 挫折 is a testament to one's grit, not just a step in a process.

Practical Usage in Modern China

As a Noun (most common): It's frequently used to describe a setback in one's career, studies, or personal life. It's a standard term in both formal and serious everyday conversations.
- Common phrases: `遇到挫折 (yùdào cuòzhé)` - to encounter a setback; `遭受挫折 (zāoshòu cuòzhé)` - to suffer a setback.
As a Verb (less common, more formal/literary): It can be used to mean “to frustrate” or “to discourage” someone's spirit or plans.
- Example: `困难挫折不了我们 (kùnnan cuòzhé bùliǎo wǒmen)` - Difficulties cannot discourage (frustrate) us.
Connotation: The term is inherently negative, describing a difficult experience. However, talking about overcoming 挫折 has a very positive and admirable connotation.

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 人生中总会遇到各种挫折。
- Pinyin: Rénshēng zhōng zǒng huì yùdào gèzhǒng cuòzhé.
- English: In life, you will always encounter various setbacks.
- Analysis: This is a common, philosophical statement. `遇到 (yùdào)` means “to encounter” or “to run into,” and it's the most common verb used with 挫折.
Example 2:
- 这个项目最近遭受了严重的挫折。
- Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù zuìjìn zāoshòu le yánzhòng de cuòzhé.
- English: This project has recently suffered a serious setback.
- Analysis: `遭受 (zāoshòu)` is a more formal verb than `遇到`, meaning “to suffer” or “to sustain.” It implies a more passive and severe experience.
Example 3:
- 这次考试失败让他感到很挫折。
- Pinyin: Zhècì kǎoshì shībài ràng tā gǎndào hěn cuòzhé.
- English: Failing this exam made him feel very frustrated/discouraged.
- Analysis: Here, 挫折 is used to describe the feeling of frustration itself, almost like an adjective. `感到很挫折 (gǎndào hěn cuòzhé)` is a common way to express the emotional state after a setback.
Example 4:
- 我们要学会如何勇敢地面对挫折。
- Pinyin: Wǒmen yào xuéhuì rúhé yǒnggǎn de miànduì cuòzhé.
- English: We must learn how to bravely face setbacks.
- Analysis: `面对 (miànduì)` means “to face” or “to confront.” This sentence highlights the cultural value of not running from 挫折 but facing it head-on.
Example 5:
- 这只是一个小小的挫折，你别太灰心。
- Pinyin: Zhè zhǐshì yīgè xiǎo xiǎo de cuòzhé, nǐ bié tài huīxīn.
- English: This is just a small setback, don't be too discouraged.
- Analysis: This sentence shows how 挫折 can be qualified with adjectives like `小小的 (xiǎo xiǎo de)` for “small.” `灰心 (huīxīn)` is the feeling of discouragement that 挫折 often causes.
Example 6:
- 任何困难都挫折不了我们的决心。
- Pinyin: Rènhé kùnnan dōu cuòzhé bùliǎo wǒmen de juéxīn.
- English: No difficulty can frustrate our determination.
- Analysis: This is an example of 挫折 used as a verb. The `不了 (bùliǎo)` structure after a verb means “cannot [do the action].” It conveys a strong sense of resolve.
Example 7:
- 他们的感情经历了不少挫折，但最终还是走在了一起。
- Pinyin: Tāmen de gǎnqíng jīnglì le bù shǎo cuòzhé, dàn zuìzhōng háishì zǒu zài le yīqǐ.
- English: Their relationship went through many setbacks, but in the end, they still got together.
- Analysis: `经历 (jīnglì)` means “to experience” or “to go through,” often used for significant life events, including 挫折.
Example 8:
- 从挫折中吸取教训是通往成功的必经之路。
- Pinyin: Cóng cuòzhé zhōng xīqǔ jiàoxun shì tōngwǎng chénggōng de bì jīng zhī lù.
- English: Learning lessons from setbacks is a necessary path to success.
- Analysis: A classic motivational sentence. `吸取教训 (xīqǔ jiàoxun)` means “to absorb a lesson.” `必经之路 (bì jīng zhī lù)` is a set phrase for “a path one must travel.”
Example 9:
- 他是一个不怕挫折、勇于挑战的人。
- Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè bùpà cuòzhé、yǒngyú tiǎozhàn de rén.
- English: He is a person who is not afraid of setbacks and dares to take on challenges.
- Analysis: This describes a person's admirable character. `不怕 (bùpà)` means “not afraid of,” showing that facing 挫折 is a mark of courage.
Example 10:
- 连续的挫折几乎让他放弃了梦想。
- Pinyin: Liánxù de cuòzhé jīhū ràng tā fàngqì le mèngxiǎng.
- English: The continuous setbacks almost made him give up on his dream.
- Analysis: This sentence shows the powerful negative impact 挫折 can have. `连续的 (liánxù de)` means “continuous” or “in a row,” emphasizing the weight of repeated setbacks.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

挫折 (cuòzhé) vs. 失败 (shībài) - Setback vs. Failure: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
- 失败 (shībài) means “failure” or “to fail.” It is the final outcome. Your entire project fails (`失败了`).
- 挫折 (cuòzhé) is a “setback” or “frustration.” It's an obstacle or event that hinders you along the way. You can encounter many 挫折 before you ultimately succeed or 失败.
- Incorrect: ~~我今天上班迟到了，这是一个大挫折。~~ (I was late for work today, this is a big setback.)
- Why it's wrong: Being late is a minor inconvenience, not a significant setback that causes deep frustration. You would use a word like `麻烦 (máfán)` (trouble).
- Correct: 他创业三次，遇到了无数挫折，但最后还是成功了。(He started a business three times, encountered countless setbacks, but finally succeeded.)
Using it for Minor Inconveniences: As above, 挫折 is reserved for significant obstacles to a major goal (passing an exam, completing a project, saving a relationship). Don't use it for trivial problems like missing the bus or your coffee being cold.

Related Terms and Concepts

失败 (shībài) - “Failure.” The final negative outcome, whereas 挫折 is a step or event in the process.
困难 (kùnnan) - “Difficulty.” Refers to the difficult nature of a task or situation. You face a 困难, and if it stops you, you experience a 挫折.
打击 (dǎjī) - “A blow; a hit; to strike.” This often refers to a sudden emotional or psychological blow. A major 挫折 can feel like a huge 打击.
吃苦 (chī kǔ) - “To eat bitterness.” The cultural value of enduring hardship, which is essential for overcoming 挫折.
坚强 (jiānqiáng) - “Strong; tough; firm.” The personal quality one is expected to show when facing 挫折.
灰心 (huīxīn) - “To be discouraged; to lose heart.” The emotional state that a 挫折 is likely to cause.
障碍 (zhàng'ài) - “Obstacle; barrier.” A more neutral, physical or abstract term for the thing that causes the 挫折.
瓶颈 (píngjǐng) - “Bottleneck.” A specific type of 挫折 where progress is stuck at a certain point and it is difficult to advance further.

Table of Contents

cuòzhé: 挫折 - Setback, Frustration, Defeat

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts