unknown, 15 strokes, radical 禾, rank #40796, Very Hard
dào(dao4) T4
1paddy
2rice (Oraza sativa)
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March 24, 2026
稻dào(dao4)
The character 稻 (dào) refers specifically to rice plants or paddy rice, emphasizing their agricultural context. It is commonly used in discussions about farming, cooking, and food culture in China, reflecting the significance of rice as a staple food in Chinese cuisine.
Strokes15Radical禾Frequency#40796DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Rice is a fundamental part of Chinese culture, symbolizing prosperity and sustenance. The character 稻 reflects the importance of rice cultivation in rural Chinese life, particularly in southern regions where rice is a primary crop.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall rice plant standing in a field, its grains swaying in the wind. The character 稻 looks like a field (田) with crops (禾) growing, reminding you that 'dào' is all about paddy rice. You can think of 'dào' as the sound of rice being poured into a bowl.
Meanings of 稻
dào(dao4)
1paddy
2rice (Oraza sativa)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 稻
稻Simplified
15Strokes
禾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#40796Frequency Rank
Podcast: 稻
Podcast: 稻
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AI Study Notes for 稻
Quick Contrast
稻 (dào) vs 米 (mǐ) — use 稻 when referring to rice plants, and 米 when referring to rice as a processed grain.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall rice plant standing in a field, its grains swaying in the wind. The character 稻 looks like a field (田) with crops (禾) growing, reminding you that 'dào' is all about paddy rice. You can think of 'dào' as the sound of rice being poured into a bowl.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 'dào,' as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. It’s often used in conjunction with other terms, such as '稻田' (dàotián), meaning rice field, so it's good to familiarize yourself with these collocations.
HSK Study Tips
While 稻 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with words related to agriculture and food, such as 米 (mǐ, rice) and 田 (tián, field). Focus on recognizing its usage in contexts related to farming or cooking, which may help in broader discussions about Chinese cuisine.
Cultural Note
Rice is a fundamental part of Chinese culture, symbolizing prosperity and sustenance. The character 稻 reflects the importance of rice cultivation in rural Chinese life, particularly in southern regions where rice is a primary crop.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 稻 (dào) with other characters related to rice, like 米 (mǐ). For example, saying '我喜欢稻' (Wǒ xǐhuān dào) instead of '我喜欢米' (Wǒ xǐhuān mǐ) when talking about liking rice can lead to confusion since ‘稻’ refers to the rice plant, not the cooked grain.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 稻
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Grammar Patterns of 稻
稻 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 5
Complete the Sentence
她把鸡蛋轻轻地放在吉姆篮子里的____草上。
She nestled the eggs safely in the straw in Jim's basket.
Example Sentences for 稻 (6)
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1
她把鸡蛋轻轻地放在吉姆篮子里的稻草上。
tā bǎ jī dàn qīng qīng dì fàng zài jí mǔ lán zǐ lǐ de dào cǎo shàng。
She nestled the eggs safely in the straw in Jim's basket.
Accordingly, modern Korean rice varieties have shorter and stiffer culm characters.
6
他啃木棍,嚼稻草.
tā kěn mù gùn, , jiáo dào.
He gnawed sticks and straws.
Cultural Notes for 稻
🏮Cultural insight
Rice is a fundamental part of Chinese culture, symbolizing prosperity and sustenance. The character 稻 reflects the importance of rice cultivation in rural Chinese life, particularly in southern regions where rice is a primary crop.
Word Family of 稻
Words Containing This Character20
稻草dàocǎorice straw
水稻shuǐdàorice
稻草人scarecrow
稻dàopaddy
稻田paddy field
早稻early season rice
稻谷dàogǔrice crops稻穀
稻米rice (crop)
救命稻草one's last hope
稻穗rice ear
稻子rice (crop)
粳稻round-grained nonglutinous rice (Japonica rice)
稻城Daocheng county (Tibetan: 'dab pa rdzong) in Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘孜藏族自治州[GānzīZàngzúzìzhìzhōu], Sichuan (formerly in Kham province of Tibet)
籼稻long-grained rice (Indian rice, as opposed to round-grained rice)
稻作rice cultivation
稻苗rice seedling
稻壳rice husk稻殼
糯稻glutinous rice
稻糠rice husk
稻城县Daocheng county (Tibetan: 'dab pa rdzong) in Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘孜藏族自治州[GānzīZàngzúzìzhìzhōu], Sichuan (formerly in Kham province of Tibet)稻城縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 稻草 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 稻
稻 (dào) refers to the rice plant or paddy, while 米 (mǐ) refers to rice grains, typically the form ready for cooking.
稻 is often used when discussing agriculture, cooking, or food, especially in rural contexts where rice farming is prevalent.
Yes, it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing agricultural topics or food.
