Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
臿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
臿chāto separate the grain from the huskzg, 9 strokes, radical 臼
chā(cha1) T1
  1. 1to separate the grain from the husk
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

臿chā(cha1)

The character 臿 (chā) refers to the process of separating grain from its husk. This term is most commonly used in agricultural contexts, particularly in discussions about harvesting and processing crops. It highlights the importance of grain preparation in food production.

Strokes9Radical臼
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese agriculture, the process of separating grain from husk is crucial during harvest festivals, where freshly processed grains symbolize abundance and good fortune.

Memory Tip

Imagine a farmer with a large basket filled with grains, carefully removing the husks as he chants 'chā' to the rhythm of his work. The character 臿 looks like a person (亻) involved in the action of separating something (禾) related to grain.

Meanings of 臿

chā(cha1)
1to separate the grain from the husk
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 臿

臿Simplified
9Strokes
臼Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 臿

JasonAmy

Podcast: 臿

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 臿

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 臿 (chā) with similar-sounding words or characters. This term is generally used in formal contexts related to agriculture. Common collocations include '臿米' (chā mǐ), meaning 'husked rice.'

HSK Study Tips

Although 臿 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your agricultural vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in context and connect it to related terms like '谷' (gǔ), meaning 'grain.'

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 臿 in contexts unrelated to agriculture, such as everyday conversation about food. An incorrect example would be saying, '我喜欢臿饭' (I like husked rice) instead of '我喜欢米饭' (I like rice).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 臿

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 臿 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 臿

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Depicts grain being separated from its husk.

Memory Hint

A mortar 臼 and pestle 千

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 臿

Depicts grain being separated from its husk.

  1. 1The giveawayA mortar 臼 and pestle 千
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 臿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 臿?

Decomposition of 臿

IDS Structure⿻千臼
臿Full Character
=
千qian1
outer
臼jiu4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 臿?

How to say to separate the grain from the husk in Chinese

“to separate the grain from the husk” in Chinese is臿chā

The character 臿 (chā) refers to the process of separating grain from its husk. This term is most commonly used in agricultural contexts, particularly in discussions about harvesting and processing crops. It highlights the importance of grain preparation in food production.

When to use 臿

Be careful not to confuse 臿 (chā) with similar-sounding words or characters. This term is generally used in formal contexts related to agriculture. Common collocations include '臿米' (chā mǐ), meaning 'husked rice.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 臿 in contexts unrelated to agriculture, such as everyday conversation about food. An incorrect example would be saying, '我喜欢臿饭' (I like husked rice) instead of '我喜欢米饭' (I like rice).

Write 臿

臿

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 臿

Words Containing This Character1
臿chāto separate the grain from the husk
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 臿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 臿

臿 specifically focuses on the separation of grain from its husk, while other characters like 谷 (gǔ) refer more broadly to grain itself.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 臿?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.