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埭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
埭dàidam; a ramp leading up to a canalzg, 11 strokes, radical 土
dài(dai4) T4
  1. 1dam; a ramp leading up to a canal
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

埭dài(dai4)

The character 埭 (dài) refers to a dam or a ramp that leads up to a canal. It is commonly used in contexts related to water management, agriculture, and infrastructure. Understanding this character is useful for discussing topics related to irrigation and waterways in Chinese-speaking regions.

Strokes11Radical土
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese agriculture, rivers and irrigation systems are crucial for farming, making characters like 埭 significant in discussions about land management and environmental engineering.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large 'dam' holding back water, with a 'ramp' leading up to it. The character 埭 has the radical 土 (earth) at the bottom, suggesting its connection to land and construction. Picture the earth supporting the dam, and remember that 'dài' sounds like 'die', which you can visualize as the dam holding back a river's 'death' by preventing flooding.

Meanings of 埭

dài(dai4)
1dam; a ramp leading up to a canal
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 埭

埭Simplified
11Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 埭

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Podcast: 埭

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AI Study Notes for 埭

Usage Notes

Careful pronunciation is essential as the tone can change the meaning; 埭 is pronounced with the fourth tone (dài). Common collocations include terms related to irrigation and construction. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that pertain to different structures or concepts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 埭 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to HSK Level 3 words related to water and construction, such as 水 (water) and 建筑 (construction). Focus on understanding its application in specific contexts to enrich vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 埭 with similar characters such as 隔 (gé, to separate) or 带 (dài, to bring/carry). Ensure you understand the context of water management to avoid these mix-ups.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 埭

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Etymology of 埭

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)隶
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 埭

  1. 1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half隶 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayearth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 埭? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 埭?

Decomposition of 埭

IDS Structure⿰土隶
埭Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
隶li4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 埭?

How to say dam; a ramp leading up to a canal in Chinese

“dam; a ramp leading up to a canal” in Chinese is埭dài

The character 埭 (dài) refers to a dam or a ramp that leads up to a canal. It is commonly used in contexts related to water management, agriculture, and infrastructure. Understanding this character is useful for discussing topics related to irrigation and waterways in Chinese-speaking regions.

When to use 埭

Careful pronunciation is essential as the tone can change the meaning; 埭 is pronounced with the fourth tone (dài). Common collocations include terms related to irrigation and construction. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that pertain to different structures or concepts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 埭 with similar characters such as 隔 (gé, to separate) or 带 (dài, to bring/carry). Ensure you understand the context of water management to avoid these mix-ups.

Write 埭

埭

Practice writing 埭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 埭

Words Containing This Character1
埭dàidam
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 埭 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 埭

It is pronounced 'dài' with a falling tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 埭?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.