Meanings of 揩
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About 揩
Podcast: 揩
Podcast: 揩
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AI Study Notes for 揩
擦 (cā) - use 揩 (kāi) for gentle wiping actions, while 擦 (cā) implies a more vigorous rubbing or scrubbing.
Imagine a person using a soft cloth to gently wipe a surface clean. The character 揩 resembles a hand (the left side) gently moving across a surface (the right side), connecting both the form and the meaning of 'wiping.'
Learners often confuse 揩 with characters like 清 (qīng), which means 'to clean' more generally. This word is more informal and is often used in everyday situations. Be careful with the tone; it's pronounced kāi, not kǎi.
Although 揩 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK level 3 words about cleaning and household activities. Students should focus on pronunciation and context, linking it to other verbs like 擦 (cā) which also means 'to wipe' but carries different nuances.
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and the act of wiping surfaces is seen as an essential part of daily life, often associated with hospitality and respect for guests.
Learners often incorrectly use 揩 in contexts that require more thorough cleaning, such as washing. For example, saying 揩衣服 (kāi yīfú) instead of 洗衣服 (xǐ yīfú) which means 'to wash clothes' is a common mistake.
Pronunciation of 揩
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Etymology of 揩
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 皆 represents the sound.
hand
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 揩?
Decomposition of 揩
Identify the Components
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Write 揩
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Practice writing 揩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 揩
揩 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
迈克尔迅速用餐巾将其____干。
Michael mopped up quickly with his napkin.
Example Sentences for 揩 (2)
Cultural Notes for 揩
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and the act of wiping surfaces is seen as an essential part of daily life, often associated with hospitality and respect for guests.
Word Family of 揩
Compound Meaning
What does 揩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 揩
It is pronounced kāi, with a high and level tone.