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March 24, 2026
曹cáo(Cao2)
The character 曹 (cáo) primarily refers to ministers or officials in historical contexts, often associated with government roles. It can also denote a company or a surname, particularly the prominent surname Cao, which has historical significance from the Zhou Dynasty and beyond.
Strokes11Radical曰Frequency#9862DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Cao is a notable surname in Chinese history, famously held by Cao Cao, a prominent warlord during the late Eastern Han dynasty, which plays a significant role in Chinese culture and literature, especially in the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'cawing' crow (sounds like 'cáo') sitting atop a government building, symbolizing ministers and officials. The character 曹 resembles a person (the top part) overseeing a group (the lower part), emphasizing its connection to governance and hierarchy.
Meanings of 曹
cáo(Cao2)
1ministers, officials; a company; surname
2Zhou Dynasty vassal state
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About 曹
曹Simplified
11Strokes
曰Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 曹
Podcast: 曹
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AI Study Notes for 曹
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'cawing' crow (sounds like 'cáo') sitting atop a government building, symbolizing ministers and officials. The character 曹 resembles a person (the top part) overseeing a group (the lower part), emphasizing its connection to governance and hierarchy.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 曹 with similar characters due to its specific contexts, especially when discussing historical or governmental subjects. It is more formal and is seldom used in casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing it, as the wrong tone can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 曹 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words related to governance and organizational roles. Students should focus on recognizing it in historical texts or literature, enhancing their understanding of context.
Cultural Note
Cao is a notable surname in Chinese history, famously held by Cao Cao, a prominent warlord during the late Eastern Han dynasty, which plays a significant role in Chinese culture and literature, especially in the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 曹 as 'zào' instead of 'cáo'. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar-looking characters like 操 (cāo), which has a different meaning related to manipulation or control.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 曹
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Depicts a pair of baskets (東). Based on the original meaning "pair". Later the meaning shifted to "of the same generation". The purpose of the additional 口 (mouth) component is unclear.
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Grammar Patterns of 曹
曹 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 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 3
Complete the Sentence
谁知道还有个姓____的!
Who'd have thought there was this Ts'ao fellow!
Example Sentences for 曹 (2)
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1
谁知道还有个姓曹的!
shuí zhī dào huán yǒu gè xìng cáo de!
Who'd have thought there was this Ts'ao fellow!
2
可是我到现在不知道那姓曹的是什么样儿的人. ”
kě shì wǒ dào xiàn zài bù zhī dào nà xìng cáo de shì shí mó yàng ér de rén.”
But I still don't know what sort of guy that Ts'ao fellow is. "
Exercise 1 of 1
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Who'd have thought there was this Ts'ao fellow!
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Cultural Notes for 曹
🏮Cultural insight
Cao is a notable surname in Chinese history, famously held by Cao Cao, a prominent warlord during the late Eastern Han dynasty, which plays a significant role in Chinese culture and literature, especially in the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'.
Word Family of 曹
Words Containing This Character18
曹cáogeneration
曹操the main villain of novel the Romance of Three Kingdoms 三國演義|三国演义
曹雪芹Cao Xueqin (c. 1715-c. 1764), accepted author of A Dream of Red Mansions 紅樓夢|红楼梦[HónglóuMèng]
曹植Cao Zhi (192-232), son of Cao Cao 曹操, noted poet and calligrapher
曹刚川Cao Gangchuan (1935-), former artillery officer, senior PRC politician and army leader曹剛川
曹禺Cao Yu (1910-1997), PRC dramatist
曹丕Cao Pi (187-226), second son of Cao Cao 曹操, king then emperor of Cao Wei 曹魏 from 220, ruled as Emperor Wen 魏文帝, also a noted calligrapher
曹魏Cao Wei, the most powerful of the Three Kingdoms, established as a dynasty in 220 by Cao Pi 曹丕, son of Cao Cao, replaced by Jin dynasty in 265
曹县Cao county in Heze 菏澤|菏泽[Hézé], Shandong曹縣
阴曹hell陰曹
曹锟Cao Kun (1862-1938), one of the Northern Warlords曹錕
曹参also pr. [CáoShēn]曹參
身在曹营心在汉live in Cao camp but have the heart in Han camp (idiom.)身在曹營心在漢
阴曹地府netherworld陰曹地府
曹冲Cao Chong (196-208), son of Cao Cao 曹操[CáoCāo]曹沖
萧规曹随to follow precedent蕭規曹隨
曹靖华Cao Jinghua (1897-1987), translator from Russian, professor of Peking University and essayist曹靖華
军曹鱼cobia or black kingfish (Rachycentron canadum)軍曹魚
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 曹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 曹
In modern usage, 曹 predominantly refers to the surname Cao or can indicate a company, but it is less common in everyday conversation.
It is pronounced 'cáo' with a rising tone, similar to how you would say 'caw' but with a rising inflection.
Yes, there are historical idioms related to government and administration that incorporate 曹, often used in literary or formal discussions.
