unknown, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #37840, Very Hard
qiāo(qiao1) T1
1shovel
2spade
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March 24, 2026
锹(鍫)qiāo(qiao1)
锹 (qiāo) refers to a shovel or spade, commonly used in gardening, construction, or outdoor work. It signifies a tool designed for digging, lifting, or moving bulk materials. This character emphasizes practical utility in both professional and domestic contexts.
Strokes14Radical钅Frequency#37840DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, gardening is a common pastime, especially among the elderly, making the term 锹 relevant in discussions about hobbies and outdoor work. Many traditional Chinese gardens utilize tools like 锹 for maintaining landscapes.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 锹 as a 'shovel' that helps you 'dig' into the earth. The left radical 钅 (metal) suggests a tool, while the right part 夭 can be visualized as a person bending down to shovel dirt. Together, they create a vivid image of someone using a shovel.
Meanings of 锹
qiāo(qiao1)
1shovel
2spade
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 锹
锹Simplified
鍫Traditional
14Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 锹
Podcast: 锹
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AI Study Notes for 锹
Quick Contrast
铲 (chǎn) - use 锹 for larger digging tasks, while 铲 is more suited for scraping or lifting materials.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 锹 as a 'shovel' that helps you 'dig' into the earth. The left radical 钅 (metal) suggests a tool, while the right part 夭 can be visualized as a person bending down to shovel dirt. Together, they create a vivid image of someone using a shovel.
Usage Notes
When using 锹, ensure you are in the right context, as it's typically used in more practical settings. Some may confuse it with other digging tools like 铲 (chǎn), which means 'spade.' Remember that 锹 is less formal and more practical.
HSK Study Tips
锹 is not included in the HSK levels but is a useful word for learners interested in construction or gardening vocabulary. Focus on its pronunciation and practice using it in sentences related to outdoor activities.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, gardening is a common pastime, especially among the elderly, making the term 锹 relevant in discussions about hobbies and outdoor work. Many traditional Chinese gardens utilize tools like 锹 for maintaining landscapes.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 锹 with similar tools like 铲, leading to incorrect usage in context. For example, saying '我需要一个锹来铲土' (I need a shovel to spade dirt) is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个铲来铲土.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 锹
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Grammar Patterns of 锹
锹 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
____和耙的手柄较长，可发挥较好的杠杆作用。
The spade and fork have longer shafts, providing better leverage.
Example Sentences for 锹 (5)
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1
锹和耙的手柄较长，可发挥较好的杠杆作用。
qiāo hé bà de shǒu bǐng jiào cháng， ， kě fā huī jiào hǎo de gàng gān zuò。
The spade and fork have longer shafts, providing better leverage.
2
他把铁锹插到地里，开始卖力地干了起来。
tā bǎ tiě qiāo chā dào dì lǐ， ， kāi shǐ mài lì dì gān le qǐ。
He sank the spade into the ground, and went at it.
3
这把铁锹使起来挺顺手.
zhè bǎ tiě qiāo shǐ qǐ lái tǐng shùn shǒu.
This spade is very handy.
4
用锹把地翻一遍。
yòng qiāo bǎ dì fān yī biàn。
Turn the soil over with a spade.
5
爸爸用铁锹翻花园里的土.
bà bà yòng tiě qiāo fān huā yuán lǐ de tǔ.
Dad uses a spade to dig the garden.
Cultural Notes for 锹
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, gardening is a common pastime, especially among the elderly, making the term 锹 relevant in discussions about hobbies and outdoor work. Many traditional Chinese gardens utilize tools like 锹 for maintaining landscapes.
Word Family of 锹
Words Containing This Character2
铁锹spade鐵鍬
锹qiāoshovel鍬
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 铁锹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 锹
It is pronounced as 'qiāo' with a first tone.
It's primarily used in informal or practical contexts, not typically in formal writing.
锹 refers specifically to a shovel, while 铲 refers to a spade, which is typically flatter and used for different digging purposes.
