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杷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
杷bàloquat tree; axe handlex, 8 strokes, radical 木
杷bàhandle or shaft (of an axe etc)unknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
杷bàhoeunknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
杷bàto harrowunknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
杷páloquat tree; axe handlex, 8 strokes, radical 木
杷páhandle or shaft (of an axe etc)unknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
杷páhoeunknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
杷páto harrowunknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
bà(ba4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1loquat tree; axe handle
  2. 2handle or shaft (of an axe etc)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

杷bà(ba4)

The character 杷 (bà) primarily refers to the loquat tree, known for its sweet, edible fruit. It can also denote the handle or shaft of tools like axes or hoes. In various contexts, the character may symbolize agricultural tools or the natural world associated with loquat cultivation.

Strokes8Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the loquat tree is valued not just for its fruit but also for its medicinal properties, often featured in traditional herbal remedies. Its presence in gardens symbolizes prosperity and health.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, sturdy axe (the handle is 杷) next to a loquat tree. The shape of the character resembles the long handle of the axe, while the fruit hanging from the tree reminds you of its connection to the loquat.

Meanings of 杷

bà(ba4)
primary
1loquat tree; axe handle
2handle or shaft (of an axe etc)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 杷

杷Simplified
8Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 杷

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Podcast: 杷

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AI Study Notes for 杷

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 杷 with similar characters in pronunciation or meaning. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is more commonly found in agricultural discussions. Remember that the tone is crucial; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 杷 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to agriculture and tools. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in context and how it relates to the broader theme of nature and farming.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 杷 with similar-sounding characters, leading to mispronunciation. For example, saying 'mǎ' (马) instead of 'bà' (杷) changes the meaning entirely. Always remember to practice the correct tones.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 杷

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Etymology of 杷

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

tree

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 杷

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half巴 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 杷? 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 杷?

Decomposition of 杷

IDS Structure⿰木巴
杷Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
巴Ba1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 杷?

How to say loquat tree; axe handle in Chinese

“loquat tree; axe handle” in Chinese is杷bà

The character 杷 (bà) primarily refers to the loquat tree, known for its sweet, edible fruit. It can also denote the handle or shaft of tools like axes or hoes. In various contexts, the character may symbolize agricultural tools or the natural world associated with loquat cultivation.

When to use 杷

Be cautious not to confuse 杷 with similar characters in pronunciation or meaning. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is more commonly found in agricultural discussions. Remember that the tone is crucial; mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 杷 with similar-sounding characters, leading to mispronunciation. For example, saying 'mǎ' (马) instead of 'bà' (杷) changes the meaning entirely. Always remember to practice the correct tones.

Write 杷

杷

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 杷

Words Containing This Character2
枇杷loquat fruit
杷bàhoe
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 枇杷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 杷

The loquat tree is a fruit-bearing tree that produces sweet, yellow-orange fruits, commonly found in southern China.

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