unknown, 13 strokes, radical 刂, rank #43837, Very Hard
剿
chāo
to extirpate
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 刂, rank #43837, Very Hard
剿
jiǎo
to annihilate, to destroy, to exterminate
v, 13 strokes, radical 刂, rank #43837, Very Hard
剿
jiǎo
to plagiarize
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 刂, rank #43837, Very Hard
剿
jiǎo
to extirpate
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 刂, rank #43837, Very Hard
chāo(chao1)
primary
T1
1to annihilate, to destroy, to exterminate
2to plagiarize
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
剿chāo(chao1)
The character 剿 (chāo) primarily means to annihilate or exterminate, often used in contexts involving military actions or efforts to eliminate threats. It can also imply the act of plagiarizing, which carries a negative connotation in academic and creative environments. Understanding its various meanings can help learners grasp the nuances of destruction in different contexts.
Strokes13Radical刂Frequency#43837DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, particularly during wartime, the concept of 剿 relates to military campaigns aimed at eradicating threats such as banditry or rebellion, reflecting a long-standing emphasis on order and control in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce battle where a warrior is using a sword (the radical 創) to cut down enemies (the concept of annihilation) while also stealing (plagiarizing) their battle strategies. The sound 'chāo' can remind you of 'chop' which relates to both cutting and destroying.
Meanings of 剿
chāo(chao1)
primary
1to annihilate, to destroy, to exterminate
2to plagiarize
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 剿
剿Simplified
13Strokes
刂Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 剿
Podcast: 剿
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AI Study Notes for 剿
Quick Contrast
剿 (chāo) vs 消灭 (xiāomiè) — use 剿 for military or aggressive extermination contexts, while 消灭 is broader and can refer to eradicating anything, not just threats.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce battle where a warrior is using a sword (the radical 創) to cut down enemies (the concept of annihilation) while also stealing (plagiarizing) their battle strategies. The sound 'chāo' can remind you of 'chop' which relates to both cutting and destroying.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone of this word, as it can be perceived as aggressive or formal. In informal settings, it’s better to use softer expressions for destruction. Common collocations include 剿灭 (exterminate) and 剿匪 (suppress bandits), which are often used in military contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 剿 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words at higher levels that deal with conflict and destruction. Students should focus on recognizing its various meanings and their appropriate contexts, especially in written materials.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, particularly during wartime, the concept of 剿 relates to military campaigns aimed at eradicating threats such as banditry or rebellion, reflecting a long-standing emphasis on order and control in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 剿 with other similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. For instance, using 剿 (chāo) instead of 诏 (zhào) can change the intended meaning from 'to annihilate' to 'imperial edict'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 剿
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Grammar Patterns of 剿
剿 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 1
Complete the Sentence
东芝在中国舆论追____下所做的“解释”简直是火上浇油. 把更多中国人给惹火了.
That was adding insult to injury. Even more Chinese people were infuriated.
That was adding insult to injury. Even more Chinese people were infuriated.
Cultural Notes for 剿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese history, particularly during wartime, the concept of 剿 relates to military campaigns aimed at eradicating threats such as banditry or rebellion, reflecting a long-standing emphasis on order and control in society.
Word Family of 剿
Words Containing This Character7
围剿to encircle and annihilate圍剿
剿chāoto destroy
清剿clean-up operation
剿灭to eliminate (by armed force)剿滅
剿匪to send armed forces to suppress
追剿to suppress
包剿to surround and annihilate (bandits)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 围剿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 剿
In a military context, 剿 means to annihilate or exterminate, often used when discussing operations against enemies or threats.
Yes, 剿 can also mean to plagiarize, which is relevant in academic discussions regarding originality and ethics.
It is generally considered formal and may not be suitable for casual conversation.
