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锸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锸chāspade, shovel; marking pinn, 14 strokes, radical 钅
chā(cha1)cha T1
  1. 1spade, shovel; marking pin
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March 24, 2026

锸(鍤)chā(cha1)

The character 锸 (chā) refers to a spade or shovel, tools commonly used for digging or moving earth. It can also mean a marking pin, indicating its utility in construction or surveying. This word is often used in contexts related to gardening, landscaping, and various forms of labor involving excavation.

Strokes14Radical钅
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese agriculture, tools like the spade (锸) played a vital role in farming practices, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Chinese history and culture. Understanding this word helps appreciate the connection between tools and the agrarian lifestyle that is prominent in many rural areas of China.

Memory tip

Imagine a spade (锸) digging into the ground, where the metal (the radical 钅) represents its material, and the shape suggests a tool for digging. Picture yourself using this spade to plant a flower, emphasizing its purpose and sound ('chā'), like a cheerful shout as you dig.

Meanings of 锸

chā(cha1)
1spade, shovel; marking pin
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 锸

锸Simplified
鍤Traditional
14Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 锸

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Podcast: 锸

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AI study notes for 锸

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 锸 with other similar tools, such as 铲 (chǎn), which means 'shovel.' Be mindful of using 锸 in appropriate contexts, like gardening or construction, rather than in informal or unrelated discussions. Also, remember that 锸 is rarely used in daily conversation outside specific contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 锸 is not part of any official HSK level, it is useful for learners focusing on vocabulary related to tools and outdoor activities. Students should connect it with other tools like 铲 (shovel) and 工具 (tools) to build a broader vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锸 with other digging tools or use it incorrectly in sentences. For example, saying '我用锸铲雪' (I use a spade to shovel snow) is incorrect; it should be '我用铲子铲雪' (I use a shovel to shovel snow).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锸

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Etymology of 锸

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

metal

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

Origin

锸 = 钅 + 臿. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 锸

IDS Structure⿰钅臿
锸Full character
=
钅jin1
left
臿cha1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 锸?

How to say spade, shovel; marking pin in Chinese

“spade, shovel; marking pin” in Chinese is锸chā

The character 锸 (chā) refers to a spade or shovel, tools commonly used for digging or moving earth. It can also mean a marking pin, indicating its utility in construction or surveying. This word is often used in contexts related to gardening, landscaping, and various forms of labor involving excavation.

When to use 锸

Common mistakes include confusing 锸 with other similar tools, such as 铲 (chǎn), which means 'shovel.' Be mindful of using 锸 in appropriate contexts, like gardening or construction, rather than in informal or unrelated discussions. Also, remember that 锸 is rarely used in daily conversation outside specific contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 锸 with other digging tools or use it incorrectly in sentences. For example, saying '我用锸铲雪' (I use a spade to shovel snow) is incorrect; it should be '我用铲子铲雪' (I use a shovel to shovel snow).

Write 锸

锸

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

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Word Family of 锸

Words containing this character1
锸chāspade鍤

Frequently asked questions about 锸

锸 specifically refers to a spade, while 铲 is a shovel, which is typically broader and used for different digging tasks.

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