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测 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
测
cè
side
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Hard
测
cè
to lean
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Hard
测
cè
to survey
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Hard
测
cè
to measure
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Hard
测
cè
conjecture
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Hard
测
cè
to survey, to measure; to estimate, to conjecture
HSK 5, vn, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3993, Hard
cè(ce4)ce T4
1side
2to lean
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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#3993DifficultyHard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 测 means.
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
Podcast: 测
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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.
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.
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
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How well do you know 测?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 测 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
测 = 氵 + 则. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 测
IDS Structure⿰氵则
测Full character
=
氵shui3
left
则ze2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 测?
How to say side in Chinese
“side” in Chinese is测cè
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.
When to use 测
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.
测 or something close to it
测 (cè) vs 量 (liàng) — use 测 when emphasizing the act of measuring or assessing, while 量 focuses more on the quantity being measured.
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 测
测
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Practice writing 测 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
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。
wǒmen xūyào yòng tǒngjì shùjù lái zhèngshí nà yī cāicè。
We need to back that suspicion up with statistical proof.
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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tàncèqìdetector探測器
观测guāncèto observe觀測
测算cèsuànto take measurements and calculate測算
不测búcèunexpected不測
测评cèpíngto test and evaluate測評
勘测kāncèto survey勘測
测绘cèhuìto map測繪
揣测chuǎicèto guess揣測
实测shícèto take measurements實測
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 测
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.
测 is classified as an HSK level 4 character. This means it is expected to be learned by students who have a moderate level of proficiency in Chinese, usually after about 600 words.
测 (cè) means 'to survey' or 'to measure'. It can also imply making conjectures or estimates. The character is often used in contexts related to measurement and evaluation.
测 can be used in sentences like '我们需要测这个房子的面积' which means 'We need to measure the area of this house.' It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing measurements or evaluations.
You can use 测 in phrases like 测试这个产品 (cèshì zhège chǎnpǐn - test this product) or 测量水的深度 (cèliàng shuǐ de shēndù - measure the depth of the water).
Common phrases include 测试 (cèshì - test) and 测量 (cèliàng - measurement).
测 is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often used in technical or academic discussions.
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