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操 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
操cāoto conduct, to manage, to runv, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto holdunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto operateunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto controlunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto steerunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto exerciseunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto drill (practice)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto playunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoto speak (a language)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoold variant of 操[cāo]v, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操cāoold variant of 操[cao1]unknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy, transitive
操càoto conduct, to manage, to runv, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto holdunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto operateunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto controlunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto steerunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto exerciseunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto drill (practice)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto playunknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoto speak (a language)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoold variant of 操[cāo]v, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy
操càoold variant of 操[cao1]unknown, 16 strokes, radical 扌, rank #832, Easy, transitive
cāo(cao1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1to conduct, to manage, to run
  2. 2to hold
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

操(撡)cāo(cao1)

The character 操 (cāo) primarily means 'to conduct' or 'to manage.' It is commonly used in contexts involving control, operation, or handling of tasks and responsibilities. In certain contexts, it can also refer to skills in speaking a language or practicing a drill.

Strokes16Radical扌Frequency#832DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 操 can reflect the importance of discipline and management in various aspects of life, including education and military practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a conductor (操) leading an orchestra, skillfully managing the musicians (the components). The top part resembles a baton, while the bottom part suggests hands holding it, symbolizing control and management.

Meanings of 操

cāo(cao1)
primary
1to conduct, to manage, to run
2to hold
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 操

操Simplified
撡Traditional
16Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#832Frequency Rank

Podcast: 操

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Podcast: 操

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AI Study Notes for 操

Quick Contrast

操 (cāo) vs 管 (guǎn) — use 操 when emphasizing the act of managing or controlling a specific task, while 管 is more about overseeing or governing in a broader sense.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 操 (cāo) with the similar sounding 肏 (cào), which has a vulgar connotation. This word is more formal and often used in professional or instructional contexts. Common collocations include 操作 (cāozuò - to operate) and 操练 (cāoliàn - to drill).

HSK Study Tips

While 操 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to management and operation, like 操作 (cāozuò) and 处理 (chǔlǐ - to handle). Focus on its application in different contexts to build a practical understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 操 (cāo) with 肏 (cào) due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我会肏这个软件' (I can cào this software) is incorrect; the correct phrase should be '我会操这个软件' (I can cāo this software).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 操

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Etymology of 操

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

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 喿 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撡.

Memory Hint

hand

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 操

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 喿 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撡.

  1. 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half喿 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 操? 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 操?

Decomposition of 操

IDS Structure⿰扌喿
操Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
喿zao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 操?

How to say to conduct, to manage, to run in Chinese

“to conduct, to manage, to run” in Chinese is操cāo

The character 操 (cāo) primarily means 'to conduct' or 'to manage.' It is commonly used in contexts involving control, operation, or handling of tasks and responsibilities. In certain contexts, it can also refer to skills in speaking a language or practicing a drill.

When to use 操

Be careful not to confuse 操 (cāo) with the similar sounding 肏 (cào), which has a vulgar connotation. This word is more formal and often used in professional or instructional contexts. Common collocations include 操作 (cāozuò - to operate) and 操练 (cāoliàn - to drill).

操 or something close to it

操 (cāo) vs 管 (guǎn) — use 操 when emphasizing the act of managing or controlling a specific task, while 管 is more about overseeing or governing in a broader sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 操 (cāo) with 肏 (cào) due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我会肏这个软件' (I can cào this software) is incorrect; the correct phrase should be '我会操这个软件' (I can cāo this software).

Write 操

操

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 操

操 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. It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons4
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

我今天本想去____场踢足球，不料外面下起雨来。

I originally planned to go play football on the field today, but unexpectedly it started raining.

Example Sentences for 操 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
不容置疑的事实是，电脑执行逻辑操作指令。

bù róng zhì yí de shì shí shì， ， diàn nǎo zhí háng luó jí cāo zuò zhǐ。

The indisputable fact is that computers carry out logical operations.
2
电梯修理工可以转动这根杠杆直接操作机器。

diàn tī xiū lǐ gōng kě yǐ zhuǎn dòng zhè gēn gàng gān zhí jiē cāo zuò jī qì。

An elevator mechanic can work the machinery directly by turning this lever.
3
毕业税具体操作起来不啻一场行政噩梦。

bì yè shuì jù tǐ cāo zuò qǐ lái bù chì yī cháng háng zhèng è mèng。

In practice a graduate tax is an administrative nightmare.
4
他操着一口带有德国腔的英语问我在法国玩得是否愉快。

tā cāo zháo yī kǒu dài yǒu dé guó qiāng de yīng yǔ wèn wǒ zài fǎ guó wán dé shì fǒu yú kuài。

He asked in his Germanic English if I was enjoying France.
5
这个系统完全由电脑操控，非常好用。

zhè gè xì tǒng wán quán yóu diàn nǎo cāo kòng， ， fēi cháng hǎo。

This is an entirely computer operated system which is very user friendly.
6
我有一位非常好的有氧健身操老师,名叫尼基.

wǒ yǒu yī wèi fēi cháng hǎo de yǒu yǎng jiàn shēn cāo lǎo shī, , míng jiào ní.

I have a very good aerobics teacher called Nicky.
7
奥尔佳·科布特独自一人将体操变成了一项重要赛事。

ào ěr jiā· · kē bù tè dú zì yī rén jiāng tǐ cāo biàn chéng le yī xiàng zhòng yào sài。

Olga Korbut single-handedly turned gymnastics into a major event.
8
回想起来，这场辩论好像从一开始就被人操纵了。

huí xiǎng qǐ lái， ， zhè cháng biàn lùn hǎo xiàng cóng yī kāi shǐ jiù bèi rén cāo zòng。

The debate seems, in retrospect, to have been fixed from the beginning.
9
意大利人以为他们已稳操胜券。

yì dà lì rén yǐ wéi tā mén yǐ wěn cāo shèng quàn。

The Italians think they've got it all sewn up.
10
我坚信我们的策略正在被人存心恶意操纵。

wǒ jiān xìn wǒ mén de cè lüè zhèng zài bèi rén cún xīn è yì cāo zòng。

I firmly believe our strategy is being deliberately, cynically manipulated.

Word Family of 操

Words Containing This Character20
操cāoto grasp
操作cāozuòto work
操纵cāozòngto operate操縱
操心cāoxīnto worry about
体操tǐcāogymnastic體操
曹操the main villain of novel the Romance of Three Kingdoms 三國演義|三国演义
操作系统operating system操作系統
操场cāochǎngplayground操場
节操integrity節操
情操sentiments
操劳cāoláoto work hard操勞
贞操virginity貞操
操守personal integrity
操练cāoliàndrill操練
操办to arrange matters操辦
重操旧业to resume one's old trade (idiom)重操舊業
操之过急overhasty操之過急
操作员operator操作員
体操队gymnastics team體操隊
健美操aerobics
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 操 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 操

Common phrases include '操纵' (cāozòng), meaning to manipulate or control, and '操作' (cāozuò), which means to operate or handle. These phrases can be useful in both everyday conversations and professional contexts where management or operation is discussed.

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