Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
测 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
测cèsideHSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Medium
测cèto leanHSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Medium
测cèto surveyHSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Medium
测cèto measureHSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Medium
测cèconjectureHSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Medium
测cèto survey, to measure; to estimate, to conjectureHSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Medium
cè(ce4) T4
  1. 1side
  2. 2to lean
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
测(測)cè(ce4)

The character 测 (cè) primarily means 'to measure' or 'to survey.' It is commonly used in contexts involving assessment, estimation, or evaluation, such as measuring distances or quantities. The character can also imply making conjectures based on data or observations.

Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#3993DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, measurement has significant importance in various fields, such as traditional medicine, architecture, and Feng Shui, where accurate measurements can influence outcomes. The concept of measuring extends beyond physical dimensions to include assessments of character and morality.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant ruler (测) leaning over a river (水) to measure its depth. The 'water' radical (水) combined with a 'leaning' element helps you remember that 测 means to measure, while the pronunciation 'cè' sounds like 'set' as in setting a measurement.

Meanings of 测

cè(ce4)
1side
2to lean
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 测

测Simplified
測Traditional
9Strokes
氵Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#3993Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 测

JasonAmy

Podcast: 测

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 测

Quick Contrast

测 (cè) vs 量 (liàng) — use 测 when emphasizing the act of measuring or assessing, while 量 focuses more on the quantity being measured.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant ruler (测) leaning over a river (水) to measure its depth. The 'water' radical (水) combined with a 'leaning' element helps you remember that 测 means to measure, while the pronunciation 'cè' sounds like 'set' as in setting a measurement.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 测 with similar-sounding characters like 厕 (cè) meaning 'toilet.' In formal contexts, use 测 when discussing measurements or evaluations, while in informal situations, it's fine to use it more loosely. Be aware of the tone, as cè is pronounced with a falling tone, which can be easily mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

Although 测 is not found in the HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary related to measurement and evaluations, such as 测试 (cèshì - test) or 测量 (cèliàng - measurement). Focus on its applications in scientific and everyday contexts to enhance understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, measurement has significant importance in various fields, such as traditional medicine, architecture, and Feng Shui, where accurate measurements can influence outcomes. The concept of measuring extends beyond physical dimensions to include assessments of character and morality.

Common Mistakes

A frequent mistake is using 测 when discussing non-measurable concepts, such as feelings or opinions. For example, saying '我想测我的心情' (I want to measure my mood) is incorrect; instead, use '我想评估我的心情' (I want to assess my mood).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 测

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 测 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 测

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

Simplified form of 測. Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 則 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)则
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 测?

Decomposition of 测

IDS Structure⿰氵则
测Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
则ze2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 测?

Write 测

测

Practice writing 测 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 测

测 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 6 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

各个企业都有一套或高或低的质量监____管理标准。

Every enterprise has a set of quality monitoring standards, whether high or low.

Common Confusions with 测

测vs侧
cè

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "side"?

or

Example Sentences for 测 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
勃朗宁的预测不过是妄加猜测而已。

bó lǎng níng de yù cè bù guò shì wàng jiā cāi cè ér yǐ。

Browning's prediction is no better than a wild guess.
2
他们从最初的市场测试中了解了许多信息。

tā mén cóng zuì chū de shì cháng cè shì zhōng le jiě le xǔ duō xìn xī。

They learnt a lot from the initial market testing exercise.
3
这条河水流湍急，变幻莫测。

zhè tiáo hé shuǐ liú tuān jí， ， biàn huàn mò。

The current of the river is fast flowing and treacherous.
4
孩子们必须参加一次严格的选拔测试。

hái zǐ mén bì xū cān jiā yī cì yán gé de xuǎn bá cè shì。

The children have to sit a tough selection test.
5
他被实时监测，定时量血压。

tā bèi shí shí jiān cè， ， dìng shí liáng xiě。

He is being constantly monitored with regular checks on his blood pressure.
6
气象学家预测接下来的几天有小雨。

qì xiàng xué jiā yù cè jiē xià lái de jī tiān yǒu xiǎo yǔ。

Meteorologists have predicted mild rains for the next few days.
7
这次测验是他显示知识的好机会.

zhè cì cè yàn shì tā xiǎn shì zhī shí de hǎo jī huì.

The quiz was a good opportunity for the exhibition of his knowledge.
8
到目前为止，参加测试的有57人，测试结果均呈阴性。

dào mù qián wéi zhǐ， ， cān jiā cè shì de57 yǒu， 57 rén ， cè shì jié guǒ jūn。

So far 57 have taken the test and all have been negative.
9
大多数人猜测买方出价可能为每股380便士。

dà duō shù rén cāi cè mǎi fāng chū jià kě néng wéi měi gǔ380 380 biàn。

Speculation centred on a likely bid price of 380p a share.
10
我们需要用统计数据来证实那一猜测。

wǒ mén xū yào yòng tǒng jì shù jù lái zhèng shí nà yī cāi cè。

We need to back that suspicion up with statistical proof.

Cultural Notes for 测

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, measurement has significant importance in various fields, such as traditional medicine, architecture, and Feng Shui, where accurate measurements can influence outcomes. The concept of measuring extends beyond physical dimensions to include assessments of character and morality.

Word Family of 测

Words Containing This Character20
测试cèshìtest測試
检测jiǎncèto detect檢測
测cèto survey測
预测yùcèto forecast預測
监测jiāncèto monitor監測
猜测cāicèto guess猜測
测量cèliángsurvey測量
测定cèdìngto survey and evaluate測定
推测tuīcèspeculation推測
测验cèyàntest測驗
探测tàncèto probe探測
探测器detector探測器
观测guāncèto observe觀測
测算cèsuànto take measurements and calculate測算
不测unexpected不測
测评to test and evaluate測評
勘测to survey勘測
测绘to map測繪
揣测chuǎicèto guess揣測
实测to take measurements實測
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 测试 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 测

Some synonyms for 测 include 量 (liàng), which means 'to measure', and 调查 (diàochá), which means 'to investigate or survey'. These words can be used depending on the context of measurement and inquiry.