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擡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
táito raise, to lift, to carryx, 17 strokes, radical 扌, Very Hard
tái(tai2) T2
  1. 1to raise, to lift, to carry
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March 24, 2026

tái(tai2)

The character 擡 (tái) means 'to raise' or 'to lift,' often used in contexts where one physically elevates an object. It can also refer to the act of carrying something upwards. This term is less common than its variant 抬 (tái), which carries a similar meaning but is more frequently used in everyday language.

Strokes17RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, lifting and carrying objects often symbolizes respect and care, especially during ceremonies or for elders. This is reflected in the language used in such contexts, where terms like 擡 emphasize the importance of elevation and honor.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone lifting a large object high above their head. The character 擡 has a hand radical (扌) on the left, suggesting action, and a phonetic component (台) that sounds like 'tái.' Visualize the hand raising the object, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 擡

tái(tai2)
1to raise, to lift, to carry
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 擡

Simplified
17Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 擡

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AI Study Notes for 擡

Quick Contrast

抬 (tái) is more commonly used in everyday language than 擡 (tái), which may be less familiar to some speakers.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine someone lifting a large object high above their head. The character 擡 has a hand radical (扌) on the left, suggesting action, and a phonetic component (台) that sounds like 'tái.' Visualize the hand raising the object, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 擡 with 抬; while both mean 'to lift,' 擡 is more formal and less commonly used in conversation. It's important to note that 擡 is used more in literary or written contexts. Pay attention to tone as both words sound similar yet differ in meaning.

HSK Study Tips

This character does not have a specific HSK level, so learners should focus on its usage in conjunction with related characters like 抬. Understanding the context in which each character is used will aid in retention and proper application.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, lifting and carrying objects often symbolizes respect and care, especially during ceremonies or for elders. This is reflected in the language used in such contexts, where terms like 擡 emphasize the importance of elevation and honor.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mispronounce 擡 due to its similarity to 抬. For instance, saying 'tāi' instead of 'tái' can lead to confusion. Always practice the correct tone to avoid such errors.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 擡

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Etymology of 擡

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To lift 扌 up high 臺; 臺 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 擡?

Decomposition of 擡

IDS Structure⿰扌臺
Full Character
=
shou3
left
tai2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 擡?

Write 擡

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 擡

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, lifting and carrying objects often symbolizes respect and care, especially during ceremonies or for elders. This is reflected in the language used in such contexts, where terms like 擡 emphasize the importance of elevation and honor.

Word Family of 擡

Words Containing This Character1
táito lift
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 擡 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 擡

No, 擡 is less common in spoken Chinese than the variant 抬, which is preferred in casual contexts.