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March 24, 2026
涛(濤)tāo(tao1)
涛 (tāo) refers to large waves, often used in the context of the sea or ocean. It can symbolize power and majesty, and is commonly found in literary and poetic expressions to evoke imagery of nature's force. The character is frequently used in phrases related to water, waves, and sometimes metaphorically to describe tumultuous situations.
Strokes10Radical氵Frequency#17451DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, '涛' often symbolizes the vastness and unpredictability of nature, reflecting traditional beliefs about the power of water. It is also used in phrases describing emotional turbulence, linking natural phenomena to human experiences.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'tāo' (涛) crashing on the shore, sending sprays of water everywhere. The character consists of the water radical 氵, suggesting its connection to waves, and combining it with '涛' evokes the image of powerful ocean waves. Picture yourself surfing on these massive waves to remember its meaning.
Meanings of 涛
tāo(tao1)
1big wave
2Taiwan pr. [táo]
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 涛
涛Simplified
濤Traditional
10Strokes
氵Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#17451Frequency Rank
Podcast: 涛
Podcast: 涛
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AI Study Notes for 涛
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant 'tāo' (涛) crashing on the shore, sending sprays of water everywhere. The character consists of the water radical 氵, suggesting its connection to waves, and combining it with '涛' evokes the image of powerful ocean waves. Picture yourself surfing on these massive waves to remember its meaning.
Usage Notes
When using '涛', be mindful of its formal and poetic connotations, as it may not be suitable for everyday conversation. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '逃' (escape) which has a different meaning. Common collocations include '海涛' (ocean waves) and '波涛' (billows).
HSK Study Tips
While '涛' is not strictly an HSK level word, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to nature and water. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in literature and poetry, which often appears alongside other nature-related words. Understanding its context will enhance comprehension of descriptive language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, '涛' often symbolizes the vastness and unpredictability of nature, reflecting traditional beliefs about the power of water. It is also used in phrases describing emotional turbulence, linking natural phenomena to human experiences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '涛' with '涛' (táo), mispronouncing it with the wrong tone. For example, saying 'táo' instead of 'tāo' can lead to misunderstandings. Additionally, using '涛' in casual conversations may sound overly formal or poetic.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 涛
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Grammar Patterns of 涛
涛 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 4 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
有时海上波____汹涌，她就会晕船。
It was quite rough at times, and she was seasick.
Example Sentences for 涛 (8)
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1
有时海上波涛汹涌，她就会晕船。
yǒu shí hǎi shàng bō tāo xiōng yǒng， ， tā jiù huì yùn。
The ship sank below the waves, and was seen no more.
6
只闻浪涛拍击之声。
zhī wén làng tāo pāi jī zhī shēng。
The only sound was the lapping of the waves.
7
汹涌的波涛猛烈地冲击着礁岸.
xiōng yǒng de bō tāo měng liè dì chōng jī zháo jiāo àn.
The foaming waves chafe against the rocky shore.
8
波涛拍岸.
bō tāo pāi àn.
The waves were beating on the shore.
Cultural Notes for 涛
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry, '涛' often symbolizes the vastness and unpredictability of nature, reflecting traditional beliefs about the power of water. It is also used in phrases describing emotional turbulence, linking natural phenomena to human experiences.
Word Family of 涛
Words Containing This Character7
涛tāobig wave濤
胡锦涛Hu Jintao (1942-), General Secretary of the CPC 2002-2012, president of the PRC 2003-2013胡錦濤
波涛bōtāogreat waves波濤
惊涛骇浪perilous situation驚濤駭浪
浪涛ocean wave浪濤
波涛汹涌waves surging forth波濤洶涌
石涛Shi Tao (1642-1707), Chinese landscape painter and poet石濤
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 涛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 涛
'涛' refers specifically to large waves, while '波' (bō) denotes waves more generally, including smaller ripples.
'涛' is more common in literary contexts than in everyday speech, where simpler terms for waves might be preferred.
'涛' is pronounced as 'tāo' with a high-level tone, different from '逃' (táo) which has a rising tone.
