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挑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
挑tiāoto carry on a shoulder poleHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto chooseHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto pickHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto nitpickHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto raiseHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto dig upHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto pokeHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto prickHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto inciteHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto stir upHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiāoto select, to choose; picky, choosy; a loadHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto carry on a shoulder poleHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto chooseHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto pickHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto nitpickHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto raiseHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto dig upHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto pokeHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto prickHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto inciteHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto stir upHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
挑tiǎoto select, to choose; picky, choosy; a loadHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1614, Hard
tiāo(tiao1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1to carry on a shoulder pole
  2. 2to choose
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

挑tiāo(tiao1)

The character 挑 (tiāo) encompasses various meanings, primarily revolving around the idea of selecting or picking something. It can refer to choosing items, carrying loads on a shoulder pole, or even nitpicking details. This versatility makes it useful in both everyday contexts and more nuanced discussions about preferences or choices.

Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#1614DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being '挑剔' (tiāotì), or picky, is often seen in the context of food preparation, where meticulous selection of ingredients is valued. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for quality and detail in culinary practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person named 'Tia' (tiāo) who is very picky about the fruits she picks at the market. She carries a pole on her shoulder with two baskets, one for the good fruits she chooses and another for those she nitpicks and discards. This image connects the sound 'tiāo' with the action of picking and carrying.

Meanings of 挑

tiāo(tiao1)
primary
1to carry on a shoulder pole
2to choose
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 挑

挑Simplified
9Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1614Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 挑

JasonAmy

Podcast: 挑

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 挑

Quick Contrast

挑 (tiāo) vs 选 (xuǎn) — use 挑 when emphasizing the act of picking or selecting with care, while 选 is more general for choosing among options.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 'tiāo', as it is a first tone. Common mistakes include confusing it with 'tiao' (跳), which means to jump. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing choices or preferences.

HSK Study Tips

Although 挑 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it is relevant for intermediate learners looking to expand their vocabulary around actions and selections. Focus on its usage in sentences to understand its context better, along with related words like 选择 (xuǎnzé) meaning 'to choose.'

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 挑 with similar-sounding words, leading to miscommunication. For example, saying '挑食' (tiāoshí) to mean 'to choose food' is correct, but using '条食' (tiáoshí) is incorrect and nonsensical.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 挑

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Etymology of 挑

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 兆 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)兆
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 挑

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 兆 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half兆 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhand
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 挑? 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 挑?

Decomposition of 挑

IDS Structure⿰扌兆
挑Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
兆Zhao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 挑?

How to say to carry on a shoulder pole in Chinese

“to carry on a shoulder pole” in Chinese is挑tiāo

The character 挑 (tiāo) encompasses various meanings, primarily revolving around the idea of selecting or picking something. It can refer to choosing items, carrying loads on a shoulder pole, or even nitpicking details. This versatility makes it useful in both everyday contexts and more nuanced discussions about preferences or choices.

When to use 挑

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 'tiāo', as it is a first tone. Common mistakes include confusing it with 'tiao' (跳), which means to jump. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing choices or preferences.

挑 or something close to it

挑 (tiāo) vs 选 (xuǎn) — use 挑 when emphasizing the act of picking or selecting with care, while 选 is more general for choosing among options.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 挑 with similar-sounding words, leading to miscommunication. For example, saying '挑食' (tiāoshí) to mean 'to choose food' is correct, but using '条食' (tiáoshí) is incorrect and nonsensical.

Write 挑

挑

Practice writing 挑 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 挑

挑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons6
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这是我挑的水果。

Zhè shì wǒ tiāo de shuǐguǒ.

This is the fruit I picked.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

她买东西就喜欢东____西选，每次都要花很长时间。

When she shops, she likes to pick and choose endlessly — it takes a long time every time.

Common Confusions with 挑

挑 emphasizes the action of picking carefully, while 选 focuses on the act of choosing.

1

我挑了几个好看的衣服，选了最喜欢的。

挑 emphasizes the action of picking carefully, while 选 focuses on the act of choosing.

💡Think of 挑 as being more selective or picky.

Usage Notes for 挑

Using 挑 inappropriatelyCommon Error

Learners often confuse 挑 with 选 when talking about making choices.

1

我想选一个好看的包。

I want to choose a nice bag.

Example Sentences for 挑 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
针对他们各人不同的需要挑选柔软、软硬适中或者坚硬的床垫。

zhēn duì tā mén gè rén bù tóng de xū yào tiāo xuǎn róu ruǎn、 、 ruǎn yìng shì zhōng huò zhě jiān yìng de chuáng。

Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs.
2
你上次和他调情或挑逗他是什么时候？

nǐ shàng cì hé tā tiáo qíng huò tiāo dòu tā shì shí mó shí hòu？

When did you last flirt with him or tease him?
3
他是由海军上将精心挑选出来担任这项工作的。

tā shì yóu hǎi jūn shàng jiāng jīng xīn tiāo xuǎn chū lái dān rèn zhè xiàng gōng zuò de。

He was hand-picked for this job by the Admiral.
4
我先挑出了所有通常留到最后的人。

wǒ xiān tiāo chū le suǒ yǒu tōng cháng liú dào zuì hòu de rén。

I picked first all the people who usually were left till last.
5
这名重量级拳击冠军将尝试挑战霍利菲尔德的世界冠军头衔。

zhè míng zhòng liáng jí quán jī guān jūn jiāng cháng shì tiāo zhàn huò lì fēi ěr dé de shì jiè guān jūn tóu xián。

The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.
6
她在挑逗我，这让我感到既惊讶又受宠若惊。

tā zài tiāo dòu wǒ， ， zhè ràng wǒ gǎn dào jì jīng yà yòu shòu chǒng ruò。

She was hitting on me and I was surprised and flattered.
7
我开始觉得托比在挑拨我们之间的关系。

wǒ kāi shǐ jué dé tuō bǐ zài tiāo bō wǒ mén zhī jiān de guān xì。

I started to feel Toby was driving a wedge between us.
8
试试网球、羽毛球或帆板运动吧。总之，只要是有挑战性的。

shì shì wǎng qiú、 、 yǔ máo qiú huò fān bǎn yùn dòng。 bā 。， zǒng zhī ， zhī yào shì yǒu tiāo。

Try tennis, badminton or windsurfing. In short, anything challenging.
9
把水泡挑破不是个好主意。

bǎ shuǐ pào tiāo pò bù shì gè hǎo zhǔ yì。

It is not a good idea to burst a blister.
10
在挑选长筒靴的时候，购买上等的好皮靴将是明智的选择。

zài tiāo xuǎn cháng tǒng xuē de shí hòu， ， gòu mǎi shàng děng de hǎo pí xuē jiāng shì míng zhì de xuǎn。

When selecting boots, fine, quality leather will be a wise investment.

Word Family of 挑

Words Containing This Character20
挑战tiǎozhànto challenge挑戰
挑tiāoto raise
挑选tiāoxuǎnto choose挑選
挑起tiǎoqǐto provoke
挑衅tiǎoxìnto provoke挑釁
挑剔tiāotipicky
挑逗to provoke
挑战者challenger挑戰者
挑拨tiǎobōto instigate挑撥
挑食to be picky about food
挑拨离间to sow dissension (idiom); to drive a wedge between挑撥離間
挑三拣四to be picky挑三揀四
挑动to entice挑動
百里挑一one in a hundred百裡挑一
挑大梁to play a leading role
精挑细选to select very carefully精挑細選
挑刺to carp
挑花cross-stitch (embroidery)
挑明to illuminate
挑拣to select挑揀
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 挑战 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 挑

挑 (tiāo) is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Its versatility allows it to fit in everyday conversations as well as in more structured discussions about choices or selections.

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