Chinese word

波折

Pronunciation

Pinyinbō zhé

Meaning

  • nounsetback

Example

我们的计划遇到了一点波折。wǒ men de jì huà yù dào le yì diǎn bō zhé

Our plan encountered a minor setback.

Illustration for 波折 (setback)

More examples

他的人生充满了波折，但他从未放弃。tā de rén shēng chōng mǎn le bō zhé dàn tā cóng wèi fàng qì

His life was full of twists and turns, but he never gave up.

Core concept

An uneven path in which progress meets interruptions and temporary obstacles.

Common phrases

  • 遭遇波折zāo yù bō zhé

    encounter setbacks

  • 经历波折jīng lì bō zhé

    experience setbacks

  • 充满波折chōng mǎn bō zhé

    be full of twists and turns

Similar words

曲折qū zhé: A complicated course with unexpected turns that makes progress less direct.
挫折cuò zhé: A setback in which a plan or goal fails partway and cannot continue.
困难kùn nán: A problem or difficult circumstance that stands in the way of completing something.

Definition in Chinese

指事情发展中的曲折或阻碍，侧重过程的反复变化与一时的不顺。zhǐ shì qíng fā zhǎn zhōng de qū zhé huò zǔ ài cè zhòng guò chéng de fǎn fù biàn huà yǔ yì shí de bú shùn

Word origin

The compound 波折 (bōzhé, "twists and turns") uses the movement of a 波 (bō, "wave") and the change of direction in 折 (zhé, "bend") to portray progress as a winding course.

Usage tips

  • The noun applies to plans, negotiations, careers, and other developing situations, not only to physical barriers or travel.

Other meanings

  • twists and turnsnoun
  • difficultiesnoun

Word lists with this word