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勺 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
勺
sháo
spoon
HSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺
sháo
ladle
HSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺
sháo
spoon, ladle; unit of volume
HSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺
sháo
abbr. for 公勺[gōng sháo], centiliter (unit of volume)
HSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺
sháo
abbr. for 公勺[gong1 shao2], centiliter (unit of volume)
HSK 6, unknown, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
sháo(shao2)shao T2
1spoon
2ladle
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March 24, 2026
勺sháo(shao2)
The character 勺 (sháo) refers to a spoon or ladle, commonly used for serving food or liquids. It can also denote a unit of volume, specifically a centiliter, in certain contexts. This term is frequently encountered in cooking, dining, and measurements.
Strokes3Radical勹Frequency#11897DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese dining culture, the use of a 勺 is crucial, especially during communal meals where dishes are shared. Knowing how to use a ladle or spoon properly reflects good manners and hospitality.
Memory tip
Imagine a spoon (勺) that looks like a tiny shovel, scooping up delicious food. The character's left side (刀) resembles a knife, hinting at its use in food preparation, while the right side (勺) resembles a spoon's shape. Remember 'sháo' as the sound of a spoon stirring soup.
Meanings of 勺
sháo(shao2)
1spoon
2ladle
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 勺
勺Simplified
3Strokes
勹Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#11897Frequency Rank
把Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 勺
Podcast: 勺
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AI study notes for 勺
Quick Contrast
匙 (chí) refers specifically to a spoon, often used for eating, while 勺 (sháo) can refer more broadly to a spoon or ladle used for serving.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 勺 in different contexts; it can refer to both physical spoons and the volume measurement. In informal settings, you might hear people use 勺 to casually refer to serving utensils, while in formal settings, it’s essential to specify whether you mean a utensil or a measurement. Avoid confusing it with other similar characters like 叉 (chā), which means 'fork.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 勺 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, learners can relate it to other food-related terms and measurements they encounter in HSK levels 1-3. Focus on pronunciation and usage in context to solidify understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 勺 with similar-looking characters. For instance, saying '我需要一个叉' (wǒ xūyào yīgè chā - I need a fork) when they meant to say '勺' can lead to misunderstandings. Always double-check the character you intend to use.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 勺
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The character 勺 (sháo) refers to a spoon or ladle, commonly used for serving food or liquids. It can also denote a unit of volume, specifically a centiliter, in certain contexts. This term is frequently encountered in cooking, dining, and measurements.
When to use 勺
Be cautious when using 勺 in different contexts; it can refer to both physical spoons and the volume measurement. In informal settings, you might hear people use 勺 to casually refer to serving utensils, while in formal settings, it’s essential to specify whether you mean a utensil or a measurement. Avoid confusing it with other similar characters like 叉 (chā), which means 'fork.'
勺 or something close to it
匙 (chí) refers specifically to a spoon, often used for eating, while 勺 (sháo) can refer more broadly to a spoon or ladle used for serving.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 勺 with similar-looking characters. For instance, saying '我需要一个叉' (wǒ xūyào yīgè chā - I need a fork) when they meant to say '勺' can lead to misunderstandings. Always double-check the character you intend to use.
Write 勺
勺
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Practice writing 勺 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 勺
勺 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 5 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
往面粉里加3大____水揉成面团。
Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste.
Common confusions with 勺
勺vs刀
dāo
Both are kitchen utensils but serve different purposes.
He gently scooped up a spoonful of soup with a spoon and savored it carefully.
25
请用勺子把米饭盛到碗里。
Qǐng yòng sháozi bǎ mǐfàn chéng dào wǎn lǐ.
Please use the spoon to serve the rice into the bowl.
26
她用勺子轻轻搅拌咖啡。
Tā yòng sháozi qīngqīng jiǎobàn kāfēi.
She gently stirred the coffee with a spoon.
27
他用勺子把汤里的蔬菜捞出来。
Tā yòng sháozi bǎ tāng lǐ de shūcài lāo chūlái.
He used a spoon to scoop out the vegetables from the soup.
28
孩子用勺子吃冰淇淋，一脸开心。
Háizi yòng sháozi chī bīngqílín, yī liǎn kāixīn.
The child ate ice cream with a spoon, looking very happy.
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Word Family of 勺
Compounds34
的deof
约yāoto weigh in a balance or on a scale
钓diàoto fish with a hook and bait
豹bàoleopard, panther; surname
灼zhuóto burn, to cauterize; bright
酌zhuóto pour wine
杓biāowooden cup, ladle, or spoon
約yuētreaty, covenant, agreement
犳zhuó
圴zhuó
妁shuòmatchmaker, go-between
尥liàoto give a backward kick (e.g. of a horse)
彴zhuó
汋zhuó
玓dìpearl
礿yuè
芍quèpeony; water chestnuts
蔾lí
趵bàothe noise of tramping feet
靮dí
仢bó
宐yí
尦liào
扚diǎo
旳dì
瓝bó
畃xún
肑bó
菞lí
虳jué
訋diào
釣diàofishhook; to fish, to lure
馰dí
魡diào
Words containing this character9
勺sháospoon
勺子sháoziscoop
后脑勺hòunǎosháoback of the head後腦勺
汤勺tāngsháosoup ladle湯勺
掌勺zhǎngsháochef
炒勺chǎosháoladle
脑勺nǎosháoback of the head腦勺
马勺mǎsháowooden ladle馬勺
公勺gōngsháoserving spoon
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 勺
What does 的 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 勺
勺 (sháo) and 匙 (chí) both refer to types of spoons, but they can have different usages. 勺 is typically used for larger spoons or ladles, while 匙 is more commonly associated with smaller spoons, like those used for tea. Understanding these nuances can help in choosing the right term based on context.
勺 (sháo) means 'spoon' or 'ladle' in Chinese. It can also be used as an abbreviation for 公勺 (gōng sháo), which refers to a centiliter, a unit of volume. Additionally, 勺 is commonly used with the measure word 把 (bǎ) when counting spoons or ladles.
To use 勺 in a sentence, you can say something like '请给我一个勺子' (Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè sháozi), which means 'Please give me a spoon.' You can also use it in cooking contexts, such as '用勺子盛汤' (Yòng sháozi chéng tāng), meaning 'Use a ladle to serve the soup.'
勺 refers to a spoon or ladle, while 刀 means knife. They are both utensils but serve different purposes.
Yes, 勺 can be used formally, particularly when discussing utensils or measurements in a cooking or dining context.
The pronunciation is 'sháo,' where the tone is rising, similar to asking a question.
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