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碼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
碼mǎnumber, numeral, symbol; yardx, 15 strokes, radical 石
mǎ(ma3) T3
  1. 1number, numeral, symbol; yard
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

碼mǎ(ma3)

The character 碼 (mǎ) primarily means 'number' or 'numeral' in contexts such as coding or referencing various forms of numbering systems. It can also refer to a 'yard' in terms of measurement, particularly in areas like construction or textiles. The usage often implies a systematic categorization or classification.

Strokes15Radical石
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the use of numbers is significant in various contexts, such as feng shui and numerology, where certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky. Understanding this character can help learners appreciate the cultural depth associated with numerical symbolism.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'mighty horse' (mǎ sounds like 'ma') galloping through a field marked with numbers. The horse represents a strong connection to the concept of measurement (yard), while the numbers signify the organization of data.

Meanings of 碼

mǎ(ma3)
1number, numeral, symbol; yard
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 碼

碼Simplified
15Strokes
石Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 碼

JasonAmy

Podcast: 碼

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 碼

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 碼 with other characters like 码 (mǎ, also meaning 'number'). It's essential to note that 碼 can be more specific to contexts involving measurement. This term is more formal and may not frequently appear in everyday conversation, so it's best used in technical or specialized contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 碼 is not an HSK level word, it is related to other characters dealing with numbers and measurements. Focus on its usage in technical vocabulary, especially in fields that involve coding or metrics. This will enhance your comprehension of related terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 碼 in informal contexts, thinking it can replace 码 (mǎ). For example, saying '我需要一个碼来计算' instead of '我需要一个码来计算' (I need a number to calculate) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 碼

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Etymology of 碼

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

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 马 represents the sound. Simplified form of 碼.

Memory Hint

stone

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 碼

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 马 represents the sound. Simplified form of 碼.

  1. 1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half馬 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaystone
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 碼? 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 碼?

Decomposition of 碼

IDS Structure⿰石馬
碼Full Character
=
石dan4
left
馬ma3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 碼?

How to say number, numeral, symbol; yard in Chinese

“number, numeral, symbol; yard” in Chinese is碼mǎ

The character 碼 (mǎ) primarily means 'number' or 'numeral' in contexts such as coding or referencing various forms of numbering systems. It can also refer to a 'yard' in terms of measurement, particularly in areas like construction or textiles. The usage often implies a systematic categorization or classification.

When to use 碼

Learners often confuse 碼 with other characters like 码 (mǎ, also meaning 'number'). It's essential to note that 碼 can be more specific to contexts involving measurement. This term is more formal and may not frequently appear in everyday conversation, so it's best used in technical or specialized contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 碼 in informal contexts, thinking it can replace 码 (mǎ). For example, saying '我需要一个碼来计算' instead of '我需要一个码来计算' (I need a number to calculate) is incorrect.

Write 碼

碼

Practice writing 碼 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 碼

Words Containing This Character20
号码hàomǎnumber號碼
码mǎweight碼
密码mìmǎsecret code密碼
起码qǐmǎat the minimum起碼
数码shùmǎnumber數碼
码头mǎtóudock碼頭
代码code代碼
筹码chóumǎbargaining chip籌碼
编码to code編碼
解码to decode解碼
尺码size尺碼
两码事two quite different things兩碼事
邮政编码postal code郵政編碼
价码price tag價碼
砝码standard weight (used on a balance scale)砝碼
条形码barcode條形碼
条码barcode條碼
加码to ratchet up加碼
解码器decoder解碼器
戏码item (on a program)戲碼
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 号码 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 碼

The pronunciation is 'mǎ', with the third tone in Mandarin.

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