Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
茭jiāo(jiao1)
茭 (jiāo) refers to an edible aquatic grass commonly known as wild rice, specifically the species Zizania aquatica. This plant is often found in wetlands and is notable for its long, slender stems and edible seeds, which are used in various culinary dishes, particularly in southern Chinese cuisine.
Strokes9Radical艹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, particularly in regions near water bodies, 茭 is valued for its unique flavor and texture, often used in traditional dishes during festivals or celebrations. Its cultural significance is tied to the importance of rice and aquatic plants in Chinese agriculture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall grass standing proud in a marsh, swaying gently in the breeze. The character 茭 looks like a grass plant (the radical '艹' on top) growing in water (the bottom part resembles a wave), reminding you of its aquatic environment and its name 'jiāo', which sounds like 'jow' as in 'jowly fish' that might swim nearby.
Meanings of 茭
jiāo(jiao1)
1an edible aquatic grass; Zizania aquatica
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 茭
茭Simplified
9Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 茭
Podcast: 茭
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 茭
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall grass standing proud in a marsh, swaying gently in the breeze. The character 茭 looks like a grass plant (the radical '艹' on top) growing in water (the bottom part resembles a wave), reminding you of its aquatic environment and its name 'jiāo', which sounds like 'jow' as in 'jowly fish' that might swim nearby.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 茭 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, so it might come across as more formal or technical in contexts like botany or cuisine. Common mistakes include confusing it with other grass-related words; remember that 茭 specifically refers to this type of aquatic grass.
HSK Study Tips
Given that 茭 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on building related vocabulary around plants and food. Connecting it with similar characters like 草 (cǎo) for grass can help reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, particularly in regions near water bodies, 茭 is valued for its unique flavor and texture, often used in traditional dishes during festivals or celebrations. Its cultural significance is tied to the importance of rice and aquatic plants in Chinese agriculture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 茭 with similar-sounding characters like 娇 (jiāo), which means delicate or lovely. Remember that 茭 relates to a type of grass, not a description of something's appearance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 茭
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 茭 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 茭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 茭
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, particularly in regions near water bodies, 茭 is valued for its unique flavor and texture, often used in traditional dishes during festivals or celebrations. Its cultural significance is tied to the importance of rice and aquatic plants in Chinese agriculture.
Word Family of 茭
Words Containing This Character2
茭白water bamboo
茭jiāoZizania aquatica
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 茭白 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 茭
茭 has a mild, slightly nutty flavor and a crunchy texture, making it a delightful addition to soups and stir-fries.
You can find 茭 in dishes like stir-fried wild rice or soups, particularly in southern Chinese restaurants.
No, 茭 refers specifically to wild rice, which is a different species and is often used for its unique taste and texture.
