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抄写 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
抄写chāoxiěto copyHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #22749, Medium
抄写chāoxiěto transcribeHSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #22749, Medium
chāoxiě(chao1xie3)chao xie T1
  1. 1to copy
  2. 2to transcribe
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March 24, 2026

抄写(抄寫)chāoxiě(chao1xie3)

抄写 refers to the act of copying written text, whether by hand or by typing. This term is commonly used in educational contexts, such as when students transcribe notes or passages from books for practice or study purposes.

Strokes12Frequency#22749DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese education, the practice of 抄写 is often emphasized as a way to reinforce learning, particularly in language acquisition. Students are frequently tasked with copying texts to improve their writing skills and memorization.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'chao' (like a 'chow' but with 'a' for 'copy') with a pen in hand, carefully 'xie' (write) out text. Visualize a student in a classroom, diligently copying notes from a blackboard—this is your '抄写' moment.

Meanings of 抄写

chāoxiě(chao1xie3)
1to copy
2to transcribe
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 抄写

抄写Simplified
抄寫Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 抄写

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Podcast: 抄写

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AI Study Notes for 抄写

Quick Contrast

抄写 (copying) vs 书写 (writing) — choose 抄写 when referring specifically to copying existing text rather than creating original text.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 抄写 with other similar terms like 复制 (to duplicate) or 写 (to write), as they carry different connotations. This term is informal and commonly used in educational settings, but can be seen in more formal contexts when discussing transcription or copying of texts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 抄写 is not explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK Level 3 words like 写 (write) and 书 (book). Students should focus on recognizing its usage in sentences related to study habits and educational activities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 抄写 with 复制 (to copy) and may use them interchangeably; however, 抄写 specifically refers to transcription, while 复制 implies duplication. For example, saying '我会复制这篇文章' (I will copy this article) is incorrect if you mean to write it down by hand; it should be '我会抄写这篇文章'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 抄写

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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

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Component Characters

抄chāoto make a copy
HSK 67 strokes扌
View full entry
写xiěto write
HSK 15 strokes冖
View full entry

How to say to copy in Chinese

“to copy” in Chinese is抄写chāoxiě

抄写 refers to the act of copying written text, whether by hand or by typing. This term is commonly used in educational contexts, such as when students transcribe notes or passages from books for practice or study purposes.

When to use 抄写

Be careful not to confuse 抄写 with other similar terms like 复制 (to duplicate) or 写 (to write), as they carry different connotations. This term is informal and commonly used in educational settings, but can be seen in more formal contexts when discussing transcription or copying of texts.

抄写 or something close to it

抄写 (copying) vs 书写 (writing) — choose 抄写 when referring specifically to copying existing text rather than creating original text.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 抄写 with 复制 (to copy) and may use them interchangeably; however, 抄写 specifically refers to transcription, while 复制 implies duplication. For example, saying '我会复制这篇文章' (I will copy this article) is incorrect if you mean to write it down by hand; it should be '我会抄写这篇文章'.

Write 抄写

抄
写

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Cultural Notes for 抄写

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western education, copying text may be seen as rote learning or plagiarism if not done correctly, whereas in Chinese culture, it is often viewed as a legitimate study technique.

Frequently Asked Questions about 抄写

It is pronounced as 'chao1 xie3', with the first syllable having a high tone and the second syllable having a falling tone.

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