Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
墊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
墊diàncushion, mat, pad; to advance money, to pay for anotherzg, 14 strokes, radical 土
diàn(dian4)dian T4
  1. 1cushion, mat, pad; to advance money, to pay for another
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

墊diàn(dian4)

The character 墊 (diàn) primarily refers to a cushion, mat, or pad used for support or comfort. It can also indicate the action of advancing money or paying on behalf of someone else, often in informal contexts. This dual meaning highlights its usage in both physical and financial situations.

Strokes14Radical土
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, cushions are often used in homes for seating, reflecting the importance of comfort and hospitality. The concept of advancing money is also prevalent in Chinese society, where community and family support systems often involve financial assistance.

Memory tip

Imagine a soft cushion (墊) that you sit on, making you feel relaxed and supported. The character looks like a flat surface with a little extra padding underneath it, which helps you remember its meaning related to comfort. The pronunciation 'diàn' sounds like 'debt'—think of someone cushioning a financial burden by paying for another.

Meanings of 墊

diàn(dian4)
1cushion, mat, pad; to advance money, to pay for another
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 墊 means.

About 墊

墊Simplified
14Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 墊

JasonAmy

Podcast: 墊

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 墊

Quick Contrast

垫 (diàn) vs 垫子 (diànzi) — use 墊 when referring to the action of advancing money or in a more abstract sense, while 垫子 is specifically the physical object, a cushion or mat.

Usage Notes

This character is often used in informal contexts, especially when discussing financial matters. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; context is key to understanding its usage. Common collocations include '墊子' (cushion) and '墊付' (advance payment).

HSK Study Tips

While 墊 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with HSK 3 and 4 words related to objects and financial transactions. Focus on its usage in practical situations, such as conversations about loans or expenses to enhance your vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 墊 with the character 垫, which also means 'pad' but can refer specifically to a base layer. For example, saying '我需要一个垫' (I need a pad) when they actually meant 'cushion' can lead to confusion; '垫子' would be more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 墊

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 墊 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 墊 to you

Let me explain 墊 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 墊 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 墊?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 墊 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 墊

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 执 represents the sound. Simplified form of 墊.

Memory hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)執
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

墊 = 土 + 執. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 墊

IDS Structure⿱執土
墊Full character
=
執zhi2
top
土Tu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 墊?

How to say cushion, mat, pad; to advance money, to pay for another in Chinese

“cushion, mat, pad; to advance money, to pay for another” in Chinese is墊diàn

The character 墊 (diàn) primarily refers to a cushion, mat, or pad used for support or comfort. It can also indicate the action of advancing money or paying on behalf of someone else, often in informal contexts. This dual meaning highlights its usage in both physical and financial situations.

When to use 墊

This character is often used in informal contexts, especially when discussing financial matters. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; context is key to understanding its usage. Common collocations include '墊子' (cushion) and '墊付' (advance payment).

墊 or something close to it

垫 (diàn) vs 垫子 (diànzi) — use 墊 when referring to the action of advancing money or in a more abstract sense, while 垫子 is specifically the physical object, a cushion or mat.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 墊 with the character 垫, which also means 'pad' but can refer specifically to a base layer. For example, saying '我需要一个垫' (I need a pad) when they actually meant 'cushion' can lead to confusion; '垫子' would be more appropriate.

Write 墊

墊

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 墊?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 墊

Words containing this character20
垫diànpad墊
床垫mattress床墊
垫子diànzicushion墊子
垫付to advance funds to sb for later repayment墊付
铺垫bedcover鋪墊
坐垫cushion坐墊
鞋垫insole鞋墊
气垫air cushion (as on hovercraft)氣墊
衬垫pad襯墊
垫脚石stepping stone墊腳石
垫圈toilet seat墊圈
垫肩shoulder pad墊肩
垫背scapegoat墊背
垫片spacer墊片
垫脚litter (animal bedding)墊腳
气垫船hovercraft氣墊船
垫料lagging墊料
垫江Dianjiang county in Fuling suburbs of Chongqing municipality, formerly in Sichuan墊江
垫款advance (of funds)墊款
杯垫(beverage) coaster杯墊
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 墊

What does 垫 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 墊

In a financial context, 墊 refers to the act of advancing money for someone else, such as covering a bill.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 墊?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab