Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
抛(拋)pāo(pao1)
The character 抛 (pāo) means 'to throw' or 'to toss.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions of throwing objects, as well as metaphorical uses like abandoning something, such as a responsibility or a relationship. The nuance can imply a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing or discarding.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#2727DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of throwing away something can symbolize letting go of the past, as seen in practices like throwing away old items during spring cleaning for the Lunar New Year.
Memory Tip
Imagine a baseball player (the radical 扌, which indicates an action related to the hand) throwing a ball (抛) with great force. Picture the ball soaring through the air, emphasizing the motion of 'throwing' and the sound 'pāo' as it flies away.
Meanings of 抛
pāo(pao1)
1to throw
2to toss
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 抛 means.
About 抛
抛Simplified
拋Traditional
7Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2727Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 抛
Podcast: 抛
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 抛
Quick Contrast
扔 (rēng) — use 抛 (pāo) when emphasizing a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing, while 扔 (rēng) is more neutral.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 抛 with other similar verbs like 投 (tóu), which means 'to throw' but with a more precise or intentional connotation. 抛 is more informal and can imply a lack of care. Be cautious of tone; the first tone (pāo) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 抛 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with similar action verbs that are essential for Level 2 and 3 learners, like 投 (tóu) and 扔 (rēng). Students should focus on distinguishing between these verbs based on their connotations and contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 抛 when they mean to say 'to throw' in a more intentional manner, which would be better expressed with 投 (tóu). For example, saying 抛篮球 (pāo lánqiú) instead of 投篮球 (tóu lánqiú) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 抛
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 抛 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 抛 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 抛?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 抛 is seven skills, not one.
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.
The character 抛 (pāo) means 'to throw' or 'to toss.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions of throwing objects, as well as metaphorical uses like abandoning something, such as a responsibility or a relationship. The nuance can imply a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing or discarding.
When to use 抛
Learners often confuse 抛 with other similar verbs like 投 (tóu), which means 'to throw' but with a more precise or intentional connotation. 抛 is more informal and can imply a lack of care. Be cautious of tone; the first tone (pāo) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
抛 or something close to it
扔 (rēng) — use 抛 (pāo) when emphasizing a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing, while 扔 (rēng) is more neutral.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 抛 when they mean to say 'to throw' in a more intentional manner, which would be better expressed with 投 (tóu). For example, saying 抛篮球 (pāo lánqiú) instead of 投篮球 (tóu lánqiú) can lead to confusion.
Write 抛
抛
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 抛 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 抛
抛 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
新任总裁已经执行了____售方案。
The programme of sell-offs has been implemented by the new chief executive.
