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榻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
bed, cot, couchn, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #30895, Very Hard
(ta4) T4
  1. 1bed, cot, couch
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(ta4)

榻 (tà) refers to a type of bed or couch, often used in a more traditional or formal context. It can imply a piece of furniture used for resting or sitting, typically more elaborate than a simple bed. This character is commonly seen in classical literature and can denote a sense of comfort or relaxation.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#30895DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the 榻 is often associated with hospitality and comfort, reflecting the importance of rest in daily life. It can also symbolize a space for social gatherings and conversations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, wooden couch with a thick, soft cushion – this is the 榻 (tà). The character has a radical for wood (木), suggesting it's made from timber, which is often used in traditional furniture. Picture yourself lounging on this couch, enjoying a peaceful afternoon nap.

Meanings of 榻

(ta4)
1bed, cot, couch
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 榻

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 榻

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 榻

Quick Contrast

床 (chuáng) vs 榻 (tà): use 榻 for traditional or formal contexts, while 床 is more general for any bed.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large, wooden couch with a thick, soft cushion – this is the 榻 (tà). The character has a radical for wood (木), suggesting it's made from timber, which is often used in traditional furniture. Picture yourself lounging on this couch, enjoying a peaceful afternoon nap.

Usage Notes

When using 榻, ensure you understand the context; it is more formal than simply saying '床' (chuáng) for bed. Common collocations include '榻榻米' (tàtàmǐ), which refers to traditional Japanese straw mats used for sleeping. Be mindful that the tone can change the meaning, so practice the fourth tone carefully.

HSK Study Tips

Although 榻 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK 3 words like '床' (bed) and '坐' (sit), as they all relate to furniture and resting. Focus on recognizing the character's structure and usage in more literary contexts.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the 榻 is often associated with hospitality and comfort, reflecting the importance of rest in daily life. It can also symbolize a space for social gatherings and conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 榻 with 床, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我在榻上睡觉' (Wǒ zài tà shàng shuìjiào) instead of '我在床上睡觉' (Wǒ zài chuáng shàng shuìjiào) is incorrect unless referring to a couch specifically.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 榻

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Etymology of 榻

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

A bed of wood 木 and feathers 羽 to sleep in at night 日

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 榻?

Decomposition of 榻

IDS Structure⿰木⿱日羽
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
Ri4
top
yu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 榻?

Write 榻

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

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Grammar Patterns of 榻

榻 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

她坐在长____上伊莉莎旁边饱看她一顿.

She sits down on the ottoman beside Eliza, devouring her with her eyes.

Example Sentences for 榻 (1)

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1
她坐在长榻上伊莉莎旁边饱看她一顿.

tā zuò zài cháng tà shàng yī lì suō páng biān bǎo kàn tā yī dùn.

She sits down on the ottoman beside Eliza, devouring her with her eyes.

Cultural Notes for 榻

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, the 榻 is often associated with hospitality and comfort, reflecting the importance of rest in daily life. It can also symbolize a space for social gatherings and conversations.

Word Family of 榻

Words Containing This Character4
couch
下榻to stay (at a hotel etc during a trip)
病榻sickbed
卧榻a couch臥榻
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 榻 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 榻

榻 specifically refers to a couch or a more formal bed, while 床 simply means bed.