unknown, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #54269, Very Hard
杓
sháo
wooden cup, ladle, or spoon
zg, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #54269, Very Hard
杓
sháo
(star)
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #54269, Very Hard
biāo(biao1)
primary
T1
1wooden cup, ladle, or spoon
2(star)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
杓biāo(biao1)
The character 杓 (biāo) refers to a wooden cup, ladle, or spoon, often used for serving liquids or food. It can also denote a certain star in traditional Chinese astronomy. This term is commonly encountered in culinary contexts, as well as in discussions of traditional Chinese measurement and astronomy.
Strokes7Radical木Frequency#54269DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese cooking, wooden ladles like those referred to by 杓 were commonly used in households for serving soup or rice, reflecting the importance of communal dining and sharing in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Think of a wooden ladle (木 = wood) that scoops up food. The top part of the character (杓) resembles the shape of a ladle, with the long handle and scoop. Imagine using it to serve soup at a family gathering, which helps link the character to its meaning.
Meanings of 杓
biāo(biao1)
primary
1wooden cup, ladle, or spoon
2(star)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 杓
杓Simplified
7Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 杓
Podcast: 杓
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AI Study Notes for 杓
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a wooden ladle (木 = wood) that scoops up food. The top part of the character (杓) resembles the shape of a ladle, with the long handle and scoop. Imagine using it to serve soup at a family gathering, which helps link the character to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 杓 with other similar characters like 勺 (sháo), which also means ladle but is more commonly used. Note that 杓 is less frequently used in modern contexts and may appear more in historical texts or specific culinary references. Be mindful of the tone; it's pronounced with a high level tone (biāo).
HSK Study Tips
Since 杓 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners at this level should focus on more common utensils like 勺 (sháo) or 叉 (chā, fork). Understanding 杓 can enhance vocabulary related to traditional Chinese cooking and measurements.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese cooking, wooden ladles like those referred to by 杓 were commonly used in households for serving soup or rice, reflecting the importance of communal dining and sharing in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 杓 with 勺 (sháo) and may incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我想要一个杓来喝水' (I want a ladle to drink water) is incorrect; use 勺 instead for a drinking context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 杓
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Cultural Notes for 杓
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese cooking, wooden ladles like those referred to by 杓 were commonly used in households for serving soup or rice, reflecting the importance of communal dining and sharing in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 杓
Words Containing This Character1
杓biāo(star)
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 杓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 杓
You pronounce it as 'biāo' with a high level tone.
While it is recognized, 杓 is less commonly used than 勺 (sháo) in contemporary language.
You might encounter 杓 in historical texts about cooking or in traditional recipes.
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