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耙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
to raken, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
a hoeunknown, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
a rakeunknown, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
to harrowunknown, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
to raken, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
a hoeunknown, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
a rakeunknown, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
to harrowunknown, 10 strokes, radical 耒, rank #31945, Very Hard
(ba4)
primary
T4
  1. 1to rake
  2. 2a hoe
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(ba4)

The character 耙 (bà) refers to a tool used for raking or harrowing soil, typically in agricultural contexts. It can also refer to a rake or hoe used for gardening. This term is commonly used when discussing farming techniques or equipment.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#31945DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In rural China, tools like 耙 are essential for farming and gardening, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle that has been a significant part of Chinese culture for centuries. Understanding this character helps learners appreciate the importance of agriculture in Chinese history and daily life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a farmer using a large rake (耙) to gather leaves. The left side of the character resembles the handle of the rake, while the right side could represent the raked-up leaves. Think of 'bà' sounding like 'bat', and visualize a bat sweeping across the ground like a rake.

Meanings of 耙

(ba4)
primary
1to rake
2a hoe
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 耙

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 耙

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 耙

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a farmer using a large rake (耙) to gather leaves. The left side of the character resembles the handle of the rake, while the right side could represent the raked-up leaves. Think of 'bà' sounding like 'bat', and visualize a bat sweeping across the ground like a rake.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 耙 with other similar agricultural terms, so it’s crucial to note its specific meaning related to raking. This word is more commonly used in informal contexts, particularly among farmers or gardening enthusiasts. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 耙 is not listed in the HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to agriculture, which may appear in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on pronunciation and context to better understand its usage in agricultural conversations.

Cultural Note

In rural China, tools like 耙 are essential for farming and gardening, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle that has been a significant part of Chinese culture for centuries. Understanding this character helps learners appreciate the importance of agriculture in Chinese history and daily life.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 耙 with similar-sounding words, such as 拔 (bá, 'to pull out'). An example mistake would be saying '我用拔来耙土' instead of '我用耙来耙土' (I use a rake to rake the soil).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 耙

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Etymology of 耙

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

Phonosemantic compound. 耒 represents the meaning and 巴 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

plow

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 耙?

Decomposition of 耙

IDS Structure⿰耒巴
Full Character
=
lei3
left
Ba1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 耙?

Write 耙

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

Grammar Patterns of 耙

耙 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). It carries 4 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 5

Complete the Sentence

锹和____的手柄较长,可发挥较好的杠杆作用。

The spade and fork have longer shafts, providing better leverage.

Example Sentences for 耙 (9)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
锹和耙的手柄较长,可发挥较好的杠杆作用。

qiāo hé bà de shǒu bǐng jiào cháng, , kě fā huī jiào hǎo de gàng gān zuò。

The spade and fork have longer shafts, providing better leverage.
2
他在忙着耙地.

tā zài máng zháo bà dì.

He is busy forking over the ground.
3
你得挖深一些才能耙出根来.

nǐ dé wā shēn yī xiē cái néng bà chū gēn lái.

You have to dig down deeply to fork up the roots.
4
把枯叶从草坪上耙除.

bǎ kū yè cóng cǎo píng shàng bà chú.

Rake the dead leaves off the lawn.
5
他把土耙平.

tā bǎ tǔ bà píng.

He raked the soil to even it off.
6
每天都有人把海滩耙平并且清理干净。

měi tiān dū yǒu rén bǎ hǎi tān bà píng bìng qiě qīng lǐ gān jìng。

The beach is raked and cleaned daily.
7
牛不耙地不知苦.

niú bù bà dì bù zhī kǔ.

The ox is never woe , till he to the harrow go.
8
将土耙松,把种子种在土里,然后轻轻地盖上土。

jiāng tǔ bà sōng, , bǎ zhǒng zǐ zhǒng zài tǔ, lǐ , rán hòu qīng qīng dì gài。

Rake the soil, press the seed into it, then cover it lightly.
9
树叶已经用耙子拢成了一堆。

shù yè yǐ jīng yòng bà zǐ lǒng chéng le yī duī。

The leaves had been raked into a pile.

Cultural Notes for 耙

🏮Cultural insight

In rural China, tools like 耙 are essential for farming and gardening, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle that has been a significant part of Chinese culture for centuries. Understanding this character helps learners appreciate the importance of agriculture in Chinese history and daily life.

Word Family of 耙

Words Containing This Character4
a hoe
耙子a rake
钉耙rake釘耙
倒打一耙to make bogus accusations (against one's victim)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 耙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 耙

It is pronounced as 'bà', with a falling tone.