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档 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
档dǎngofficial recordsHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎnggrade (of goods)HSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngfileHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngrecordsHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngshelvesHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngcross-pieceHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngclassifier for cross-piecesHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngTaiwan pr. [dǎng]HSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngshelve, frame; files, records; grade, levelHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎng(Tw) variant of 擋|挡[dang3], gearHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard, formal, administrative, documentation, administration, attributive
档dǎngslotHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎnggapHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngcrosspieceHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngclassifier for crosspiecesHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngclassifier for events, affairs etcHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dǎngTaiwan pr. [dang3]HSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngofficial recordsHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dànggrade (of goods)HSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngfileHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngrecordsHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngshelvesHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngcross-pieceHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngclassifier for cross-piecesHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngTaiwan pr. [dǎng]HSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngshelve, frame; files, records; grade, levelHSK 6, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàng(Tw) variant of 擋|挡[dang3], gearHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard, formal, administrative, documentation, administration, attributive
档dàngslotHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dànggapHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngcrosspieceHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngclassifier for crosspiecesHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngclassifier for events, affairs etcHSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
档dàngTaiwan pr. [dang3]HSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #3214, Hard
dǎng(dang3)
primary
 T3
  1. 1official records
  2. 2grade (of goods)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

档(檔)dǎng(dang3)

The character 档 (dǎng) primarily refers to official records or files, and can also denote grades or levels of goods. It is commonly used in contexts related to documentation, classification, and organization, such as in administrative or archival settings.

Strokes10Radical木Frequency#3214DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese administrative culture, maintaining accurate records is highly valued, and 档 (dǎng) reflects the importance of organization and classification in both personal and government affairs.

Memory Tip

Imagine a '档' (dǎng) file cabinet filled with important documents. The two horizontal lines in the character represent shelves that hold various files, helping you remember its meaning related to records and organization.

Meanings of 档

dǎng(dang3)
primary
1official records
2grade (of goods)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 档

档Simplified
檔Traditional
10Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3214Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 档

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Podcast: 档

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 档

Quick Contrast

档次 (dàngcì) vs 等级 (děngjí) — use 档 when referring specifically to official records or files, while 等级 is more about ranking or levels in a broader sense.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 档 (dǎng) with similar-sounding characters like 挡 (dǎng), which means to block or obstruct. 档 is more formal and often used in official contexts, so it’s best to avoid using it in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 档 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other words related to documentation and classification. Students should focus on recognizing it in administrative contexts and understanding its use as a classifier for records.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 档 (dǎng) with 挡 (dǎng), leading to incorrect usage in contexts referring to blocking or obstructing. Always remember that 档 relates to records and files, not barriers.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 档

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Etymology of 档

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

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 当 represents the sound. Simplified form of 檔.

Memory Hint

wood

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 档

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 当 represents the sound. Simplified form of 檔.

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half当 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywood
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 档? 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 档?

Decomposition of 档

IDS Structure⿰木当
档Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
当dang1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 档?

How to say official records in Chinese

“official records” in Chinese is档dǎng

The character 档 (dǎng) primarily refers to official records or files, and can also denote grades or levels of goods. It is commonly used in contexts related to documentation, classification, and organization, such as in administrative or archival settings.

When to use 档

Be careful not to confuse 档 (dǎng) with similar-sounding characters like 挡 (dǎng), which means to block or obstruct. 档 is more formal and often used in official contexts, so it’s best to avoid using it in casual conversation.

档 or something close to it

档次 (dàngcì) vs 等级 (děngjí) — use 档 when referring specifically to official records or files, while 等级 is more about ranking or levels in a broader sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 档 (dǎng) with 挡 (dǎng), leading to incorrect usage in contexts referring to blocking or obstructing. Always remember that 档 relates to records and files, not barriers.

Write 档

档

Practice writing 档 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 档

档 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 16 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 4

Complete the Sentence

然后你的搭____应该将球回传给你。

Your partner should then pass the ball back to you.

Common Confusions with 档

档vs挡
dǎng

Same pronunciation and similar shape, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "official records"?

or

Example Sentences for 档 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
然后你的搭档应该将球回传给你。

rán hòu nǐ de dā dàng yīng gāi jiāng qiú huí chuán gěi nǐ。

Your partner should then pass the ball back to you.
2
一些最高档的酒杯是用铅晶质玻璃制成的。

yī xiē zuì gāo dàng de jiǔ bēi shì yòng qiān jīng zhì bō lí zhì chéng de。

Some of the finest drinking glasses are made from lead crystal.
3
她的梦想是主持一档电视时尚生活节目。

tā de mèng xiǎng shì zhǔ chí yī dàng diàn shì shí shàng shēng huó jié mù。

Her dream is to present a lifestyle show on television.
4
这张照片在档案室中藏了40多年。

zhè zhāng zhào piàn zài dàng àn shì zhōng cáng le40 40 duō。

The picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years.
5
这是她记录的档案中最严重的案例之一。

zhè shì tā jì lù de dàng àn zhōng zuì yán zhòng de àn lì zhī yī。

It is one of the most desperate cases on her files.
6
这档新闻节目每周在黄金时段播出4次。

zhè dàng xīn wén jié mù měi zhōu zài huáng jīn shí duàn bō chū4 4。

The news programme goes out four times a week at peak time.
7
他的3个秘书已经把详细情况归档备查。

tā de3 3 gè mì shū yǐ jīng bǎ xiáng xì qíng kuàng guī dàng bèi。

The details are filed away by his three secretaries for future reference.
8
样本选自两个全科诊所的病历档案。

yàng běn xuǎn zì liǎng gè quán kē zhěn suǒ de bìng lì dàng àn。

The sample was selected from the medical records of two general practices.
9
这家饭馆档次很低，大约有60个座位。

zhè jiā fàn guǎn dàng cì hěn dī， ， dà yuē60 yǒu 60 gè。

It is a downmarket eating house, seating about
10
在她职业生涯后期，最为人熟知的是和鲁道夫·努列耶夫的搭档组合。

zài tā zhí yè shēng yá hòu qī， ， zuì wéi rén shú zhī de shì hé lǔ dào· fū · nǔ liè yé fū de dā dàng。

Her later career was best known for her partnership with Rudolf Nureyev.

Word Family of 档

Words Containing This Character18
档案dàng’ànfile檔案
搭档dādàngpartner搭檔
档dǎngfile檔
高档gāodànghigh grade高檔
档次dàngcìgrade檔次
文档(computer) file文檔
归档to file away歸檔
存档to file存檔
档子classifier for affairs, events etc檔子
低档low-grade低檔
档期slot within a schedule檔期
大排档food stall大排檔
空档free time空檔
档案馆archive library檔案館
拍档partner拍檔
断档sold out斷檔
排档stall (of market etc)排檔
摊档(dialect) vendor's stall攤檔
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 档案 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 档

档 (dàng) refers generally to files or records, while 档案 (dàng'àn) specifically means 'archives' or 'official documents'. Understanding the distinction can help you use these terms more accurately in context, especially when discussing administrative or legal matters.

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