HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 土, rank #10760, Hard
堤
dī
Taiwan pr. [tí]
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 土, rank #10760, Hard
堤
dī
Taiwan pr. [ti2]
HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 土, rank #10760, Hard
dī(di1) T1
1dike
2Taiwan pr. [tí]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
堤dī(di1)
The character '堤' refers to a dike or embankment, which is a structure built to hold back water or prevent flooding. It is commonly used in contexts related to agriculture, water management, and civil engineering. Understanding this term can be crucial for discussions surrounding environmental issues and infrastructure in Chinese-speaking regions.
Strokes12Radical土Frequency#10760DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, dikes are crucial for agricultural practices, especially in rice cultivation, where flood control is vital for successful harvests. The construction and maintenance of dikes reflect the importance of water management in Chinese agricultural history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'D' (for dike) standing on a raised mound of earth, holding back a flood of water. The shape of '堤' resembles a protective wall, and the sound 'dī' can remind you of 'dike'. Picture a brave dam that stands tall against rising waters.
Meanings of 堤
dī(di1)
1dike
2Taiwan pr. [tí]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 堤
堤Simplified
12Strokes
土Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10760Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 堤
Podcast: 堤
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 堤
Quick Contrast
堤 (dī, dike) vs 堡 (bǎo, fortress) — use 堤 when referring to water-holding structures, not for military or protective buildings.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant 'D' (for dike) standing on a raised mound of earth, holding back a flood of water. The shape of '堤' resembles a protective wall, and the sound 'dī' can remind you of 'dike'. Picture a brave dam that stands tall against rising waters.
Usage Notes
Learners might confuse '堤' with similar-sounding words, so it's important to practice its pronunciation and context. This term is more formal and technical, often used in written contexts or discussions about engineering. Common collocations include '堤坝' (dike and dam) and '防洪堤' (flood control dike).
HSK Study Tips
Although '堤' is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 4 terms related to nature and environment. Students should focus on the context of environmental vocabulary and how '堤' fits into discussions about water management.
Cultural Note
In China, dikes are crucial for agricultural practices, especially in rice cultivation, where flood control is vital for successful harvests. The construction and maintenance of dikes reflect the importance of water management in Chinese agricultural history.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '堤' with '提', leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我去提水' (I go to lift water) instead of '我去堤水' (I go to dike the water) can change the meaning significantly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 堤
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 堤 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 堤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 堤
堤 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 3 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
许多小河的水已经漫过____岸，造成一些道路不能通行。
Many streams have flooded their banks, making some roads impassable.
Many streams have flooded their banks, making some roads impassable.
2
一驶出内防波堤，我们就扬起了所有的船帆。
yī shǐ chū nèi fáng bō dī， ， wǒ mén jiù yáng qǐ le suǒ yǒu de chuán。
Once outside the inner breakwater, we began to unfurl all the sails.
3
他们在这地方把整个堤岸全挖开了.
tā mén zài zhè dì fāng bǎ zhěng gè dī àn quán wā kāi le.
They have dug away the whole bank at this point.
4
埃文河决堤的时候，有5对夫妇被困在了他们的房车里。
āi wén hé jué dī de shí hòu， ，5 yǒu 5 duì fū fù bèi kùn zài le tā mén de fáng。
Five couples were marooned in their caravans when the River Avon broke its banks.
5
河水泛滥,冲塌了堤岸.
hé shuǐ fàn làn, , chōng tā le dī.
The river floods caved in the bank.
Cultural Notes for 堤
🏮Cultural insight
In China, dikes are crucial for agricultural practices, especially in rice cultivation, where flood control is vital for successful harvests. The construction and maintenance of dikes reflect the importance of water management in Chinese agricultural history.
Word Family of 堤
Words Containing This Character7
堤dīdike
堤坝dībàdam堤壩
堤防dike
堤岸bank
决堤(of dikes) to collapse決隄
防波堤breakwater
海堤levee
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 堤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 堤
The correct pronunciation is 'dī' with a high level tone. It's important to avoid confusing it with other tones.
While '堤' is more commonly used in technical or formal discussions, you might encounter it when talking about floods or water control in a community context.
Yes, '提' (tí) means 'to lift' or 'to carry', which can be confusing due to the similar pronunciation.
