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March 24, 2026
汰tài(tai4)
The character 汰 (tài) primarily means to discard or eliminate something, often in the context of cleaning or washing out. It can also imply an excess of something that needs to be removed or scoured away, making it relevant in discussions about cleanliness or excess in various contexts.
Strokes7Radical氵Frequency#36820DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining cleanliness is highly valued, and the concept of 汰 can be seen in practices like spring cleaning, where people eliminate old items to welcome the new season.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large pot (the radical '水' for water) that is filled to the brim with dirty water. To keep things clean, you must 汰 (tài) the water out, discarding what is no longer needed. Visualize the action of pouring out the excess water to remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 汰
tài(tai4)
1to discard
2to eliminate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 汰
汰Simplified
7Strokes
氵Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#36820Frequency Rank
Podcast: 汰
Podcast: 汰
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AI Study Notes for 汰
Quick Contrast
淘 (táo) - use 汰 when referring specifically to the act of discarding or eliminating something, while 淘 emphasizes the act of washing or sifting through to clean or select.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large pot (the radical '水' for water) that is filled to the brim with dirty water. To keep things clean, you must 汰 (tài) the water out, discarding what is no longer needed. Visualize the action of pouring out the excess water to remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
汰 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in discussions about waste management or hygiene. Common collocations include 汰旧换新 (tài jiù huàn xīn), meaning 'to eliminate the old and replace it with the new'. Be careful with the tone, as mispronouncing it as 'tāi' could lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 汰 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with related verbs and actions regarding cleaning and elimination seen in HSK levels 3 and 4. Focus on understanding its usage in phrases related to cleanliness and maintenance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining cleanliness is highly valued, and the concept of 汰 can be seen in practices like spring cleaning, where people eliminate old items to welcome the new season.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 汰 with similar-sounding characters like 泰 (tài), which means 'peaceful' or 'great.' A common mistake would be saying 汰 for 泰 in a context discussing tranquility, which would be incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 汰
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Grammar Patterns of 汰
汰 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 3 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
在新闻部员工中已经在转发一封电子邮件,呼吁大家自愿裁____.
An e-mail is already circulating amongst news staff calling for voluntary redundancies.
Thousands of factory workers are facing redundancy.
8
这部旧缝纫机大概到了被淘汰的时候了.
zhè bù jiù féng rèn jī dà gài dào le bèi táo tài de shí hòu le.
It's about time this old sewing machine was put out to pasture.
Cultural Notes for 汰
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, maintaining cleanliness is highly valued, and the concept of 汰 can be seen in practices like spring cleaning, where people eliminate old items to welcome the new season.
Word Family of 汰
Words Containing This Character6
淘汰táotàito wash out
淘汰赛a knockout competition淘汰賽
优胜劣汰yōushèngliètàisurvival of the fittest (idiom)優勝劣汰
汰tàito discard
劣汰elimination of the weakest
裁汰to cut back
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 淘汰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 汰
Common phrases include 汰旧换新, which emphasizes replacing the old with the new, often used in consumer contexts.
汰 is more commonly used in formal settings or written language rather than casual conversation.
Yes, 汰 can describe discarding excess or spoiled food, particularly in discussions about reducing waste.
