Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
掭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
掭tiànto manipulatev, 11 strokes, radical 扌
tiàn(tian4) T4
  1. 1to manipulate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

掭tiàn(tian4)

The character 掭 (tiàn) means to manipulate or to control something, often with a connotation of exerting influence or power over an object or situation. It can also imply a delicate handling or skillful maneuvering, commonly used in contexts where finesse is required in managing tasks or relationships.

Strokes11Radical扌
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of manipulation can relate to the art of negotiation and interpersonal relationships, where skilled manipulation is often seen as a sign of intelligence and social acumen.

Memory Tip

Think of 掭 (tiàn) as a hand (扌, the radical for hand) skillfully manipulating an object. Imagine a puppet master (handling a puppet with finesse) to remember 'to manipulate' and the pronunciation 'tiàn' sounds like 'ten'—imagine controlling ten strings at once.

Meanings of 掭

tiàn(tian4)
1to manipulate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 掭

掭Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 掭

JasonAmy

Podcast: 掭

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 掭

Usage Notes

Learners should be cautious of the formal tone of this word, which is typically used in contexts requiring skill and precision. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar verbs like 操作 (cāozuò, to operate) which is more mechanical. The verb is often used with objects that require careful handling.

HSK Study Tips

While 掭 (tiàn) is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to the HSK level 5 theme of actions and manipulation. Students should focus on understanding the nuances of control and influence, which can also connect with other action verbs learned at this level.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 掭 (tiàn) with 使 (shǐ), which means 'to make' or 'to use,' leading to incorrect sentences like '我使他工作' (I manipulate him to work) instead of '我掭他工作' (I manipulate him to work) which doesn't convey the same meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 掭

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

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

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 掭

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

hand

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 掭

  1. 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half忝 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhand
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 掭? 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 掭?

Decomposition of 掭

IDS Structure⿰扌忝
掭Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
忝tian3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 掭?

How to say to manipulate in Chinese

“to manipulate” in Chinese is掭tiàn

The character 掭 (tiàn) means to manipulate or to control something, often with a connotation of exerting influence or power over an object or situation. It can also imply a delicate handling or skillful maneuvering, commonly used in contexts where finesse is required in managing tasks or relationships.

When to use 掭

Learners should be cautious of the formal tone of this word, which is typically used in contexts requiring skill and precision. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar verbs like 操作 (cāozuò, to operate) which is more mechanical. The verb is often used with objects that require careful handling.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 掭 (tiàn) with 使 (shǐ), which means 'to make' or 'to use,' leading to incorrect sentences like '我使他工作' (I manipulate him to work) instead of '我掭他工作' (I manipulate him to work) which doesn't convey the same meaning.

Write 掭

掭

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 掭

You can use 掭 in formal discussions about strategies, management, or even interpersonal skills, particularly when describing skillful influences.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 掭?

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.