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薹 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
táisedge, grass; Cyperus rotundusn, 17 strokes, radical 艹, Very Hard
táiCarex dispalathaunknown, 17 strokes, radical 艹, Very Hard
tái(tai2) T2
  1. 1sedge, grass; Cyperus rotundus
  2. 2Carex dispalatha
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March 24, 2026

tái(tai2)

The character 薹 (tái) refers to a type of sedge or grass, specifically plants within the Cyperus and Carex genera. It is often used in botanical contexts to describe certain wetland grasses that are significant in ecological systems or traditional medicine.

Strokes17RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, certain types of grasses like 薹 are traditionally used in herbal medicine, highlighting their importance in both agriculture and traditional health practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall grass (薹) swaying in the wind, with its roots firmly planted in wet soil. The character 薹 resembles a plant with the radical 艹 (grass) on top, symbolizing its botanical nature, while the bottom part (台) can remind you of a platform where this grass stands.

Meanings of 薹

tái(tai2)
1sedge, grass; Cyperus rotundus
2Carex dispalatha
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 薹

Simplified
17Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 薹

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AI Study Notes for 薹

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tall grass (薹) swaying in the wind, with its roots firmly planted in wet soil. The character 薹 resembles a plant with the radical 艹 (grass) on top, symbolizing its botanical nature, while the bottom part (台) can remind you of a platform where this grass stands.

Usage Notes

When using 薹, it's important to know that it is primarily used in academic or formal contexts related to botany. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words or characters that have different meanings, such as 台 (tái), which means platform.

HSK Study Tips

Although 薹 is not included in the HSK levels, it relates to HSK vocabulary about nature and plants. Students should focus on recognizing plant-related terms and their contexts to enhance their botanical vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, certain types of grasses like 薹 are traditionally used in herbal medicine, highlighting their importance in both agriculture and traditional health practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 薹 with similar characters due to its pronunciation. For example, using 薹 in a sentence meant for 台 (platform) would be incorrect; always ensure you are referring to botanical contexts when using 薹.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 薹

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Etymology of 薹

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

grass

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 薹?

Decomposition of 薹

IDS Structure⿱艹臺
Full Character
=
cao3
top
tai2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 薹?

Write 薹

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

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Grammar Patterns of 薹

薹 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 2 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 1

Complete the Sentence

晚抽____大叶菠菜新品种 ‘ 东新1号 ’

Breeding of A New Late - bolting Broad - leaf Spinach Hybrid' Dongxin 1'

Example Sentences for 薹 (1)

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1
晚抽薹大叶菠菜新品种 ‘ 东新1号 ’

wǎn chōu tái dà yè bō cài xīn pǐn zhǒng‘ ‘ dōng1 xīn’

Breeding of A New Late - bolting Broad - leaf Spinach Hybrid' Dongxin 1'

Cultural Notes for 薹

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, certain types of grasses like 薹 are traditionally used in herbal medicine, highlighting their importance in both agriculture and traditional health practices.

Word Family of 薹

Words Containing This Character2
táiCarex dispalatha
蒜薹garlic shoots (cookery)
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 薹 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 薹

薹 refers to specific types of sedge or grass that can be found in wetland areas, important for both ecosystem balance and gardening.