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体操 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
体操tǐcāogymnasticHSK 6, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #8534, Hard
体操tǐcāogymnasticsHSK 6, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #8534, Hard
tǐcāo(ti3cao1) T3
  1. 1gymnastic
  2. 2gymnastics
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March 24, 2026

体操(體操)tǐcāo(ti3cao1)

体操 (tǐcāo) refers to the sport of gymnastics, involving exercises that develop physical strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. It is commonly practiced in both competitive and recreational settings and is a popular activity in schools and sports clubs across China.

Strokes23Frequency#8534DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Gymnastics has a significant place in Chinese culture, particularly evident during events like the Olympics where China's gymnasts often achieve outstanding results, showcasing the country's emphasis on physical education and discipline from a young age.

Memory Tip

Think of 体 (tǐ) as representing 'body' (since it is a component of 'physical'), and 操 (cāo) sounds like 'sow,' which can be imagined as sowing seeds of strength and flexibility through gymnastic practices. Picture a gymnast flexing their body like a flexible plant swaying gracefully in the wind.

Meanings of 体操

tǐcāo(ti3cao1)
1gymnastic
2gymnastics
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 体操

体操Simplified
體操Traditional
23Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 体操

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Podcast: 体操

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AI Study Notes for 体操

Quick Contrast

体操 (gymnastics) vs 健美操 (aerobics) — use 体操 when referring specifically to gymnastics, which includes apparatus work, while 健美操 focuses on rhythmic and aerobic movements.

Usage Notes

体操 is used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing gymnastics. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding terms; for instance, 运动 (yùndòng) means 'sport' in general, while 体操 specifically refers to gymnastics. Common collocations include 体操比赛 (tǐcāo bǐsài - gymnastics competition) and 体操运动员 (tǐcāo yùndòngyuán - gymnast).

HSK Study Tips

体操 is not included in the HSK levels, but it connects with HSK vocabulary related to sports and physical activities. Focus on practicing the tones, especially the third tone of 体 (tǐ) and the first tone of 操 (cāo), to ensure clarity in conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 体操 (tǐcāo) with 运动 (yùndòng). For example, saying '我喜欢运动' when you mean 'I like gymnastics' instead of '我喜欢体操' can lead to misunderstanding. Always specify 体操 when discussing gymnastics.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 体操

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Component Characters

体tǐbody
7 strokes亻
View full entry
操cāoto conduct, to manage, to run
16 strokes扌
View full entry

How to say gymnastic in Chinese

“gymnastic” in Chinese is体操tǐcāo

体操 (tǐcāo) refers to the sport of gymnastics, involving exercises that develop physical strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. It is commonly practiced in both competitive and recreational settings and is a popular activity in schools and sports clubs across China.

When to use 体操

体操 is used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing gymnastics. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding terms; for instance, 运动 (yùndòng) means 'sport' in general, while 体操 specifically refers to gymnastics. Common collocations include 体操比赛 (tǐcāo bǐsài - gymnastics competition) and 体操运动员 (tǐcāo yùndòngyuán - gymnast).

体操 or something close to it

体操 (gymnastics) vs 健美操 (aerobics) — use 体操 when referring specifically to gymnastics, which includes apparatus work, while 健美操 focuses on rhythmic and aerobic movements.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 体操 (tǐcāo) with 运动 (yùndòng). For example, saying '我喜欢运动' when you mean 'I like gymnastics' instead of '我喜欢体操' can lead to misunderstanding. Always specify 体操 when discussing gymnastics.

Write 体操

体
操

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 体操

Make sure to pronounce 体 (tǐ) with a rising tone and 操 (cāo) with a high level tone.

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