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笞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
笞chībamboo rod used for beatingsvg, 11 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #59604, Very Hard
笞chīto whip with bamboo stripsunknown, 11 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #59604, Very Hard
chī(chi1)chi T1
  1. 1bamboo rod used for beatings
  2. 2to whip with bamboo strips
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March 24, 2026

笞chī(chi1)

The character 笞 (chī) refers to a bamboo rod traditionally used for punishment, particularly in ancient Chinese contexts. It conveys the idea of inflicting physical discipline through whipping, typically associated with strict educational or military settings. In modern usage, it may carry a historical or literary connotation, rather than being commonly used in daily life.

Strokes11Radical⺮Frequency#59604DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese education, physical discipline using tools like 笞 was common and reflected a strict approach to teaching. This practice emphasizes the historical importance of discipline in Chinese culture, especially in Confucian teachings.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'chi'ld misbehaving and receiving a 'chī' (whip) made from a bamboo rod. The character has the bamboo radical (竹) on the left, reinforcing its connection to bamboo. Picture a strict teacher wielding this rod to instill discipline.

Meanings of 笞

chī(chi1)
1bamboo rod used for beatings
2to whip with bamboo strips
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 笞

笞Simplified
11Strokes
⺮Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 笞

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Podcast: 笞

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AI study notes for 笞

Usage Notes

While 笞 is not commonly used in contemporary language, it may appear in literary or historical texts. Learners should avoid using it in casual conversation due to its serious implications. Be mindful of the tone when discussing punishment-related topics, as it can be sensitive.

HSK Study Tips

Although 笞 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it could be interesting for students to explore words related to punishment or discipline, such as 惩罚 (chéng fá, punishment) and 教育 (jiào yù, education). Focus on understanding the context in which such words might be used.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 笞 with similar characters related to other forms of punishment, like 鞭 (biān, whip). It's important to remember that 笞 specifically denotes a bamboo rod, while 鞭 refers more generally to a whip.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 笞

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Etymology of 笞

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

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 台 represents the sound.

Memory hint

bamboo

Semantic (meaning)⺮
+
Phonetic (sound)台
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

笞 = ⺮ + 台. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 笞

IDS Structure⿱⺮台
笞Full character
=
⺮zhu2
top
台Tai2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 笞?

How to say bamboo rod used for beatings in Chinese

“bamboo rod used for beatings” in Chinese is笞chī

The character 笞 (chī) refers to a bamboo rod traditionally used for punishment, particularly in ancient Chinese contexts. It conveys the idea of inflicting physical discipline through whipping, typically associated with strict educational or military settings. In modern usage, it may carry a historical or literary connotation, rather than being commonly used in daily life.

When to use 笞

While 笞 is not commonly used in contemporary language, it may appear in literary or historical texts. Learners should avoid using it in casual conversation due to its serious implications. Be mindful of the tone when discussing punishment-related topics, as it can be sensitive.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 笞 with similar characters related to other forms of punishment, like 鞭 (biān, whip). It's important to remember that 笞 specifically denotes a bamboo rod, while 鞭 refers more generally to a whip.

Write 笞

笞

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

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Grammar patterns of 笞

笞 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 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

舞蹈开始前会举行祈祷和鞭____的仪式。

There is a ceremony of prayer and flagellation before the dancing begins.

Example sentences for 笞 (1)

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1
舞蹈开始前会举行祈祷和鞭笞的仪式。

wǔdǎo kāishǐ qián huì jǔxíng qídǎo hé biān chī de yíshì。

There is a ceremony of prayer and flagellation before the dancing begins.

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Word Family of 笞

Words containing this character3
鞭笞to flog
笞chīto whip with bamboo strips
笞刑whipping with bamboo strips (as corporal punishment)
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 笞

What does 鞭笞 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 笞

No, 笞 is primarily found in classical literature and historical texts, rather than in everyday conversation.

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