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褪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
褪tuìto strip, to undress; to fade, to fall offv, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tuìto take off (clothes)unknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tuìto slip out of sthunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tuìto shed feathersunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tuìto hide sth in one's sleeveunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tuì(of color) to fadeunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tuìto discolorunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tùnto strip, to undress; to fade, to fall offv, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tùnto take off (clothes)unknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tùnto slip out of sthunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tùnto shed feathersunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tùnto hide sth in one's sleeveunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tùn(of color) to fadeunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
褪tùnto discolorunknown, 14 strokes, radical 衤, rank #15650, Hard
tuì(tui4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1to strip, to undress; to fade, to fall off
  2. 2to take off (clothes)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
褪tuì(tui4)

The character 褪 (tuì) primarily means to strip or undress, often in the context of removing clothing. It can also refer to the fading of colors or the shedding of feathers, making it applicable in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as losing vibrancy over time.

Strokes14Radical衤Frequency#15650DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the notion of shedding or stripping away can be linked to the changing seasons and the natural cycles of life, such as the shedding of leaves in autumn, which symbolizes letting go.

Memory Tip

Imagine a colorful bird (the 'color' component of 褪) that gradually loses its feathers (the 'to strip' meaning) as it flies away. The sound 'tuì' can be remembered by picturing it slipping away, like colors fading from a painting.

Meanings of 褪

tuì(tui4)
primary
1to strip, to undress; to fade, to fall off
2to take off (clothes)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 褪

褪Simplified
14Strokes
衤Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 褪

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Podcast: 褪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 褪

Quick Contrast

褪 (tuì) vs 脱 (tuō) — use 褪 for fading or stripping away, while 脱 specifically means to take off clothing.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a colorful bird (the 'color' component of 褪) that gradually loses its feathers (the 'to strip' meaning) as it flies away. The sound 'tuì' can be remembered by picturing it slipping away, like colors fading from a painting.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 褪 with similar verbs like 脱 (tuō), which also means to take off but is more commonly used for clothing. This verb is typically used in informal contexts, and collocations include 褪色 (to fade in color) and 褪去 (to strip away).

HSK Study Tips

Although 褪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, its meaning connects with basic verbs about actions like 脱 (tuō) and 涂 (tú). Focus on understanding its usage in describing changes over time or processes of removal.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the notion of shedding or stripping away can be linked to the changing seasons and the natural cycles of life, such as the shedding of leaves in autumn, which symbolizes letting go.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 褪 with 脱, using 褪 when they mean to say 'take off' clothing. For example, saying '我想褪衣服' (I want to 褪 my clothes) is incorrect; it should be '我想脱衣服'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 褪

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Etymology of 褪

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Th take off 退 clothing 衤; 退 also provides the pronunciation

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 褪?

Decomposition of 褪

IDS Structure⿰衤退
褪Full Character
=
衤yi1
left
退tui4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 褪?

Write 褪

褪

Practice writing 褪 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 褪

褪 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 7 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

所有颜色都会____色——尤其是在阳光直射下。

All colour fades— especially under the impact of direct sunlight.

Example Sentences for 褪 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
所有颜色都会褪色——尤其是在阳光直射下。

suǒ yǒu yán sè dū huì tuì sè—— —— yóu qí shì zài yáng guāng zhí shè。

All colour fades— especially under the impact of direct sunlight.
2
衬衣每洗一次都会褪点色。

chèn yī měi xǐ yī cì dū huì tuì diǎn sè。

The colours gently fade each time you wash the shirt.
3
那些书看上去褪了色，尘封已久。

nà xiē shū kàn shàng qù tuì le sè， ， chén fēng yǐ。

The books looked faded, dusty and unused.
4
锌素过量还经常出现铁的褪绿症.

xīn sù guò liáng huán jīng cháng chū xiàn tiě de tuì lǜ zhèng.

Excess zinc often produces iron chorosis.
5
鳄梨呈现典型的叶色褪绿及营养生长减弱.

è lí chéng xiàn diǎn xíng de yè sè tuì lǜ jí yíng yǎng shēng cháng jiǎn ruò.

The avocado shows a typical loss of green color and a reduction in vegetative growth.
6
褪绿部分由淡黄色演变为黄褐色以至褐色,最终变干呈“灼伤状 ”.

tuì lǜ bù fēn yóu dàn huáng sè yǎn biàn wéi huáng hè sè yǐ zhì hè sè, , zuì zhōng biàn gān“ chéng “ zhuó”.

The chlorosis develops from light yellow to tan, becoming brown and finally drying to a'scorch ".
7
工厂给汽车上了透明罩漆，以防底漆褪色。

gōng chǎng gěi qì chē shàng le tòu míng zhào qī， ， yǐ fáng dǐ qī tuì。

Cars were covered with clear-coat finish at the factory to protect the underlying paint from fading.
8
小鸭褪了黄毛.

xiǎo yā tuì le huáng máo.

The ducklings have shed their yellow down.
9
鲜血起初在石子上染上一层红彩, 后来渐渐淡褪, 成了一片浅红.

xiān xiě qǐ chū zài shí zǐ shàng rǎn shàng yī céng hóng cǎi, , hòu lái jiàn jiàn dàn, tuì , chéng le yī piàn.

The blood gives a sheet to the cobblestone at first, fades, becomes pink.
10
泼出的酸弄得地板褪色.

pō chū de suān nòng dé dì bǎn tuì sè.

Spilt acid discoloured the floor.

Cultural Notes for 褪

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, the notion of shedding or stripping away can be linked to the changing seasons and the natural cycles of life, such as the shedding of leaves in autumn, which symbolizes letting go.

Word Family of 褪

Words Containing This Character2
褪tuìto discolor
褪色to fade (of colors)
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 褪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 褪

While 褪 typically refers to physical changes like color or clothing, it can metaphorically imply fading feelings, but this is less common.