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牒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
牒diédocuments, records; to dispatchg, 13 strokes, radical 片
牒dié(official) documentunknown, 13 strokes, radical 片
牒diédispatchunknown, 13 strokes, radical 片
dié(die2)die T2
  1. 1documents, records; to dispatch
  2. 2(official) document
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March 24, 2026

牒dié(die2)

The character 牒 (dié) refers to official documents or records, often used in bureaucratic or administrative contexts. It can denote dispatching documents or the act of sending official paperwork. In modern usage, it might appear in legal or governmental discussions.

Strokes13Radical片
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, the importance of official documents and records is deeply rooted in the historical bureaucracy, which emphasized meticulous record-keeping for governance and administration.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'diplomat' (sounds like dié) who is always carrying important documents and records. The character 牒 looks like a person (the top part) holding a scroll (the bottom part), symbolizing the dispatch of important paperwork.

Meanings of 牒

dié(die2)
1documents, records; to dispatch
2(official) document
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 牒 means.

About 牒

牒Simplified
13Strokes
片Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 牒

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Podcast: 牒

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AI Study Notes for 牒

Usage Notes

This character is mostly used in formal contexts, such as legal or governmental language. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters that denote informal correspondence. Be mindful of the tone when using it in writing; it is typically written with a formal tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 牒 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can help learners with legal and bureaucratic terminology in Chinese. Students should focus on recognizing its use in compound words related to documents and government.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 牒 incorrectly in informal contexts, such as saying '我明天发一个牒给你' (I will send you a document tomorrow) when a more casual term like '文件' (wénjiàn) would be appropriate. Remember, 牒 is for formal documents.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 牒

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Etymology of 牒

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

Flat 片 pages 片 of wood

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 牒?

Decomposition of 牒

IDS Structure⿰片枼
牒Full character
=
片pian1
left
枼ye4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 牒?

How to say documents, records; to dispatch in Chinese

“documents, records; to dispatch” in Chinese is牒dié

The character 牒 (dié) refers to official documents or records, often used in bureaucratic or administrative contexts. It can denote dispatching documents or the act of sending official paperwork. In modern usage, it might appear in legal or governmental discussions.

When to use 牒

This character is mostly used in formal contexts, such as legal or governmental language. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters that denote informal correspondence. Be mindful of the tone when using it in writing; it is typically written with a formal tone.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is using 牒 incorrectly in informal contexts, such as saying '我明天发一个牒给你' (I will send you a document tomorrow) when a more casual term like '文件' (wénjiàn) would be appropriate. Remember, 牒 is for formal documents.

Write 牒

牒

Practice writing 牒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 牒

Words containing this character5
最后通牒ultimatum最後通牒
牒diédispatch
通牒diplomatic note
通关文牒passport通關文牒
文牒official document
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 牒

What does 最后通牒 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 牒

牒 generally refers to official documents, such as legal papers, government dispatches, or administrative records.

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