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臺 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
臺táiplatform; unit; term of addresszg, 14 strokes, radical 至, rank #30065, Very Hard
tái(tai2)tai T2
  1. 1platform; unit; term of address
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March 24, 2026

臺tái(tai2)

The character 臺 (tái) primarily means 'platform' or 'stage.' It can also refer to a unit of measurement in certain contexts, and is used as a term of address, such as in '臺灣' (Taiwan), where it denotes a geographical location. This character is often used in formal settings, especially in written Chinese.

Strokes14Radical至Frequency#30065DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Taiwan, the character 臺 is an integral part of the name '臺灣' (Taiwan), emphasizing its significance in identifying the island both geographically and culturally. The character reflects the importance of place and identity in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a '台' (tái) as a raised platform where people stand to deliver speeches. The character looks like a platform with a roof (the top part resembles a structure), helping you remember that it represents a place where people gather, like a stage.

Meanings of 臺

tái(tai2)
1platform; unit; term of address
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 臺

臺Simplified
14Strokes
至Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 臺

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AI study notes for 臺

Usage Notes

When using 臺, be careful with its pronunciation; it can be confused with '台' (tái) in informal contexts. It is typically used in formal writing or contexts, and learners should note that it often appears in compound words, such as '電臺' (radio station).

HSK Study Tips

Although 臺 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other words related to locations or platforms, helping learners expand their vocabulary in spatial contexts. Focus on recognizing it in written texts and understanding its usage in various phrases.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 臺 with the more common 台, using it inappropriately in informal contexts. For example, saying '我在台上' (wǒ zài tái shàng) instead of '我在臺上' (wǒ zài tái shàng) when discussing a formal performance situation may be incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 臺

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Etymology of 臺

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 以 represents the sound. 口 (mouth) indicates that the character is only "mouthed", i.e. only used for its phonetic value. In simplified Chinese 台 is also used to mean "table; counter", while in t

Memory hint

A man 吉 standing on a raised 至 dais 冖

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

Origin

What kind of character is 臺?

Decomposition of 臺

IDS Structure⿳吉冖至
臺Full character
=
吉Ji2
top
冖mi4
middle
至zhi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 臺?

How to say platform; unit; term of address in Chinese

“platform; unit; term of address” in Chinese is臺tái

The character 臺 (tái) primarily means 'platform' or 'stage.' It can also refer to a unit of measurement in certain contexts, and is used as a term of address, such as in '臺灣' (Taiwan), where it denotes a geographical location. This character is often used in formal settings, especially in written Chinese.

When to use 臺

When using 臺, be careful with its pronunciation; it can be confused with '台' (tái) in informal contexts. It is typically used in formal writing or contexts, and learners should note that it often appears in compound words, such as '電臺' (radio station).

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 臺 with the more common 台, using it inappropriately in informal contexts. For example, saying '我在台上' (wǒ zài tái shàng) instead of '我在臺上' (wǒ zài tái shàng) when discussing a formal performance situation may be incorrect.

Write 臺

臺

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

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Word Family of 臺

Words containing this character20
台táistage臺
舞台wǔtáistage舞臺
台湾Taiwan台灣
平台píngtáiplatform平臺
台上táishàngon stage臺上
电视台diànshìtáitelevision station電視臺
出台chūtáito appear on stage出臺
台词dialogue臺詞
电台diàntáitransmitter-receiver電臺
上台shàngtáito rise to power (in politics)
后台hòutáibackstage area後台
阳台yángtáibalcony陽臺
台阶táijiēsteps臺階
柜台guìtáibar櫃檯
台风táifēnghurricane颱風
台北Taibei or Taipei, capital of Taiwan
前台qiántáistage前臺
站台zhàntáiplatform (at a railway station)
中央电视台China Central Television (CCTV), PRC state TV network中央電視台
下台xiàtáito go off the stage下臺
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 臺

What does 台 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 臺

Both characters are pronounced 'tái' but have different usages; 臺 is more formal and often used in written contexts, while 台 is more common in everyday speech.

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