Meanings of 腳
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About 腳
Podcast: 腳
Podcast: 腳
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AI Study Notes for 腳
足 (zú) — use 腳 (jiǎo) for physical 'foot' or 'leg', while 足 (zú) emphasizes 'sufficient' or 'enough' in a different context.
Be mindful that 腳 can refer to both a singular foot and multiple feet in different contexts. It is often paired with words like '走' (zǒu, to walk) in phrases like '走路' (zǒulù, to walk), which reinforces its usage in mobility. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more specific terms might be preferred.
While 腳 is not in the HSK list, it connects to HSK Level 2 vocabulary related to body parts and actions. Students should focus on its pronunciation and usage in everyday expressions, linking it to verbs like '走' and '跑' (pǎo, to run).
Learners often confuse 腳 (jiǎo) with 走 (zǒu) when talking about movement. For example, saying '我用腳走' (Wǒ yòng jiǎo zǒu) is incorrect; instead, say '我用我的腿走' (Wǒ yòng wǒ de tuǐ zǒu), meaning 'I walk with my legs.'
Pronunciation of 腳
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Etymology of 腳
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 却 represents the sound. Simplified form of 腳.
flesh
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 腳
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 却 represents the sound. Simplified form of 腳.
- 1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
- 2The sound half卻 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayflesh
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 腳? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 腳
Identify the Components
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How to say leg, foot; foundation, base in Chinese
“leg, foot; foundation, base” in Chinese is腳
The character 腳 (jiǎo) primarily means 'foot' or 'leg' and can also refer to the foundation or base of something. It is commonly used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as discussing mobility, stability, or the supporting elements of a structure.
When to use 腳
Be mindful that 腳 can refer to both a singular foot and multiple feet in different contexts. It is often paired with words like '走' (zǒu, to walk) in phrases like '走路' (zǒulù, to walk), which reinforces its usage in mobility. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more specific terms might be preferred.
腳 or something close to it
足 (zú) — use 腳 (jiǎo) for physical 'foot' or 'leg', while 足 (zú) emphasizes 'sufficient' or 'enough' in a different context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 腳 (jiǎo) with 走 (zǒu) when talking about movement. For example, saying '我用腳走' (Wǒ yòng jiǎo zǒu) is incorrect; instead, say '我用我的腿走' (Wǒ yòng wǒ de tuǐ zǒu), meaning 'I walk with my legs.'
Write 腳
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Practice writing 腳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 腳
Compound Meaning
What does 脚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 腳
While 腳 (jiǎo) specifically refers to the foot or leg, 足 (zú) can mean foot as well but often relates to sufficiency or completeness in a broader context.
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