to advance quickly; to go back and forth; origin, source
x, 5 strokes, radical 大, Very Hard
tāo(tao1) T1
1to advance quickly; to go back and forth; origin, source
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March 24, 2026
夲()tāo(tao1)
The character 夲 (tāo) generally means to advance quickly or to move back and forth. It can also refer to the concept of origin or source, often indicating the starting point of something. This character may be used in contexts involving rapid movement or discussions about beginnings.
Strokes5Radical大Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese philosophy, the concept of origin is significant, often linked to discussions about lineage and heritage. The character 夲 reflects this cultural emphasis on understanding one's roots and the journey of life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'tall' (sounds like 'tāo') person quickly advancing forward, and as they do, they trace back to their origins, represented by the character's form. The radical 夲 can evoke the image of a person on a journey, moving swiftly from place to place while always remembering where they came from.
Meanings of 夲
tāo(tao1)
1to advance quickly; to go back and forth; origin, source
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About 夲
夲Simplified
Traditional
5Strokes
大Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 夲
Podcast: 夲
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AI Study Notes for 夲
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'tall' (sounds like 'tāo') person quickly advancing forward, and as they do, they trace back to their origins, represented by the character's form. The radical 夲 can evoke the image of a person on a journey, moving swiftly from place to place while always remembering where they came from.
Usage Notes
While 夲 is not commonly used in everyday speech, it might appear in literary or formal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '逃' (táo), which means to escape. It’s important to maintain the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
This character is not part of the official HSK vocabulary lists, so learners should focus on understanding its usage in context rather than rote memorization. It connects with other characters that indicate movement or origin, enriching vocabulary related to travel and beginnings.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese philosophy, the concept of origin is significant, often linked to discussions about lineage and heritage. The character 夲 reflects this cultural emphasis on understanding one's roots and the journey of life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 夲, mistakenly saying it with a different tone, leading to confusion with other words. For example, saying 'táo' instead of 'tāo' changes the meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 夲
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Cultural Notes for 夲
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese philosophy, the concept of origin is significant, often linked to discussions about lineage and heritage. The character 夲 reflects this cultural emphasis on understanding one's roots and the journey of life.
Frequently Asked Questions about 夲
In a sentence, 夲 can indicate a quick advance, such as '他夲到目的地' (He advanced quickly to the destination).
It is rare in everyday conversation; you might encounter it more in literary or formal contexts regarding origins or quick movements.
Yes, synonyms might include characters that convey similar meanings of rapid movement or beginnings, like 快 (kuài) for fast.
