索 Stroke Order — How to Write 索
索 is written in 10 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 糸, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
索 Radical and Character Components
索 is an ideographic compound. A rope 糸 hanging from the ceiling 冖.
Radical: 糸 + 4 more strokes
索 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- suǒ
Meanings of 索 in Chinese
1
suǒ索
A thick rope, cable, or chain; also, a clue or lead.
警方正在努力寻找破案的线索。
The police are diligently searching for clues to solve the case.
To search, to seek, to explore, to ponder.
我们必须深入思索，才能找到解决问题的最佳方法。
We must ponder deeply to find the best solution to the problem.
To ask for; to demand; to exact (e.g., to demand repayment, to seek, to extort).
你可以向他索取更多信息。
You can ask him for more information.
Utterly lacking or devoid of (as in interest, flavor, etc.)
这部电影的情节发展缓慢，让人感到索然无趣
The plot development of this movie is slow, making people feel utterly bored.
To seek or choose to live alone or in isolation, similar to the 'suǒ' in 'lí qún suǒ jū' (to live in seclusion from the group).
经过一番思考，他决定索居山林，远离尘嚣。
After much thought, he decided to live in seclusion in the mountains, far from the madding crowd.
Common Words and Phrases with 索
1
A ropeway or cableway, an aerial transportation system that uses steel cables.
游客可以乘坐索道到达山顶，欣赏壮丽的景色。
Tourists can take the cableway to reach the mountaintop and enjoy the magnificent scenery.
2
to solicit or demand bribes
一位负责项目审批的官员被指控向承包商索贿，导致工程延误。
An official responsible for project approval was accused of demanding bribes from contractors, leading to project delays.
3
to seek an explanation; to try to understand
对于这个复杂的科学现象，学生们向教授索解。
For this complex scientific phenomenon, the students sought an explanation from the professor.
4
to rack one's brains in scheming; to exhaust one's thoughts
为了创作出一部引人入胜的小说，他索尽枯肠，查阅了大量资料。
To create a captivating novel, he racked his brains and consulted a large amount of reference materials.
5
live alone; live in solitude
退休后，老王选择索居乡间，过着宁静的生活。
After retirement, Old Wang chose to live in seclusion in the countryside, leading a peaceful life.
6
Rigging, the equipment used to support and operate masts, sails, and other parts of a ship.
工人使用专业的索具将重型机械安全地吊装到指定位置。
The workers used professional rigging to safely hoist the heavy machinery to the designated position.
7
depressed; desolate; bleak
他最近总是感到索寞，对什么都提不起兴趣。
He has been feeling listless lately, losing interest in everything.
8
To claim indemnity or compensation.
如果包裹在运输过程中受损，收件人可以向快递公司索赔。
If the package is damaged during transit, the recipient can claim compensation from the courier company.
9
A chain bridge; a suspension bridge primarily supported by chains or cables.
这座索桥横跨峡谷，连接了两岸的村庄。
This suspension bridge spans the gorge, connecting the villages on both banks.
10
11
To ask for or demand something.
客户有权向商家索取购买凭证。
Customers have the right to request proof of purchase from merchants.
12
dull, dry, or insipid; lacking interest.
这部电影的剧情平淡，让人看得索然无味
The plot of this movie was bland, making it a completely uninteresting watch.
13
Describes trembling or shivering (often due to fear or cold), and also serves as an onomatopoeia for rustling or whispering sounds (e.g., of wind, leaves, or small movements).
秋风吹过树林，树叶发出索索的声响。
The autumn wind blew through the woods, and the leaves made a rustling sound.
14
jack ladder, a type of ship's ladder made of wooden steps and rope handrails.
水手们放下索梯，以便乘客能够安全地登上小船。
The sailors lowered the rope ladder so that passengers could safely board the small boat.
15
A common type of Hada (Tibetan ceremonial scarf), typically three feet long, made from hemp or raw silk dyed with powder. Also known as 'Suxi' (素喜).
在重要的仪式上，人们常常会献上洁白的索喜，表达诚挚的祝福。
During important ceremonies, people often present pristine Soshi to express sincere blessings.
16
Simply; just; might as well.
外面下雨了，我索性在家看书。
It's raining outside, so I might as well stay home and read a book.
More words with 索
- shéng绳suǒ索a thick cord or rope
- xiàn线suǒ索clue, lead
- lè勒suǒ索extortion, blackmail
- sī思suǒ索To think deeply; to ponder.
- jiǎo绞suǒ索noose
- lǎn缆suǒ索cable, rope
- mō摸suǒ索grope, feel around
- xū需suǒ索demand, require
- xún寻suǒ索search for; seek; explore
- bēng绷suǒ索Stay cable, Guy wire
- dǒu抖suǒ索tremble; shiver
- é讹suǒ索extort, blackmail
- hán函suǒ索Request by letter, Write for
- jiǎn检suǒ索Retrieve, Search
- sè瑟suǒ索shiver, tremble
- xiāo萧suǒ索bleak and desolate
- zhǐ只suǒ索have to; can only; be obliged to
- bàn绊mǎ马suǒ索Tripwire, Trip rope
- tàn探suǒ索Explore, Investigate
- suǒ索yào要demand, ask for
Idioms with 索
- suǒ索rán然guǎ寡wèi味utterly dull and uninteresting
- suǒ索rán然wú无wèi味dull and uninteresting
- àn按tú图suǒ索jì骥follow a map to find a horse
- àn暗zhōng中mō摸suǒ索grope in the dark
- bēn奔chē车xiǔ朽suǒ索extremely dangerous with inadequate means
- bù不jiā加sī思suǒ索without thinking or hesitation
- bù不jiǎ假sī思suǒ索without thinking or hesitation
- dà大hán寒suǒ索qiú裘seek fur coat in great cold
- gān干cuì脆lì利suo索Direct, quick, and neat
- gān干jìng净lì利suǒ索neat, efficient, and thorough
- lè勒suǒ索qiāo敲zhà诈extort and blackmail
- lí离qún群suǒ索jū居live a solitary life away from the crowd
Questions about 索
- What does 索 mean in Chinese?
- 索 (suǒ) means “A thick rope, cable, or chain” in Chinese.
- How do you pronounce 索?
- 索 is pronounced suǒ in Mandarin Chinese.
- How many strokes does 索 have?
- 索 has 10 strokes.
- How do you write 索?
- 索 is written in 10 strokes, starting from the radical 糸. See the animated stroke order on this page.
- What is the radical of 索?
- The radical of 索 is 糸, and 索 is an ideographic compound.