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March 24, 2026
拓tà(ta4)
The character 拓 (tà) primarily means to expand or develop, often used in contexts like expanding a business or opening up new opportunities. It can also refer to the act of making a rubbing of an inscription, which is a traditional practice in Chinese culture for preserving and sharing historical texts.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#26204DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the practice of making rubbings from inscriptions is not only an art form but also a method of preserving history and literature, often seen in temples and historical sites. This character symbolizes the value placed on heritage.
Memory Tip
Think of 拓 as a hand (扌) pushing open (拓) a door to new possibilities. The hand radical represents action, while the rest of the character symbolizes opening up, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 拓
tà(ta4)
primary
1to make a rubbing (e.g. of an inscription)
2to develop, to expand, to open up
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 拓
拓Simplified
8Strokes
扌Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#26204Frequency Rank
Podcast: 拓
Podcast: 拓
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AI Study Notes for 拓
Quick Contrast
拓 (tà) vs 扩 (kuò) — use 拓 for expanding in a more metaphorical or developmental sense, while 扩 is more literal and often refers to physical expansion, like enlarging a space.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 拓 with words like 开 (kāi, to open) since both relate to opening but in different contexts. 拓 is often used in a more formal context related to development or expansion, while 开 is more general. Be mindful of the tone; the fourth tone should be pronounced firmly.
HSK Study Tips
Though 拓 is not part of HSK, it connects to level 3 and 4 vocabulary related to actions and development, such as 开发 (kāifā, to develop) and 扩大 (kuòdà, to enlarge). Focus on using 拓 in phrases related to growth and development to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 拓 with 拓展 (tàzhǎn, to expand) and use them interchangeably, but 拓 can stand alone as a verb. For instance, saying 拓展 alone without context can be misleading; it's better to use it in a complete phrase.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拓
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 石 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half石 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 拓? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 拓?
Decomposition of 拓
IDS Structure⿰扌石
拓Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
石dan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 拓?
How to say surname Tuo in Chinese
“surname Tuo” in Chinese is拓tuò
The character 拓 (tà) primarily means to expand or develop, often used in contexts like expanding a business or opening up new opportunities. It can also refer to the act of making a rubbing of an inscription, which is a traditional practice in Chinese culture for preserving and sharing historical texts.
When to use 拓
Common mistakes include confusing 拓 with words like 开 (kāi, to open) since both relate to opening but in different contexts. 拓 is often used in a more formal context related to development or expansion, while 开 is more general. Be mindful of the tone; the fourth tone should be pronounced firmly.
拓 or something close to it
拓 (tà) vs 扩 (kuò) — use 拓 for expanding in a more metaphorical or developmental sense, while 扩 is more literal and often refers to physical expansion, like enlarging a space.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 拓 with 拓展 (tàzhǎn, to expand) and use them interchangeably, but 拓 can stand alone as a verb. For instance, saying 拓展 alone without context can be misleading; it's better to use it in a complete phrase.
Write 拓
拓
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Practice writing 拓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 拓
拓 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 4 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.
