Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
袋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
袋dàia pouchHSK 4, q, 11 strokes, radical 衣, rank #2234, Medium
袋dàibagHSK 4, q, 11 strokes, radical 衣, rank #2234, Medium
袋dàisackHSK 4, q, 11 strokes, radical 衣, rank #2234, Medium
袋dàipocketHSK 4, q, 11 strokes, radical 衣, rank #2234, Medium
袋dàibag, sack; pocket, pouchHSK 4, q, 11 strokes, radical 衣, rank #2234, Medium
dài(dai4) T4
  1. 1a pouch
  2. 2bag
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
袋dài(dai4)

The character 袋 (dài) refers to a bag, pouch, or sack used for carrying items. It can denote various types of containers, such as shopping bags or pockets in clothing. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and more formal contexts when discussing items meant for storage or transport.

Strokes11Radical衣Frequency#2234DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the use of reusable shopping bags has become increasingly popular due to environmental awareness. Many cities have implemented bans on plastic bags, making the concept of a 袋 even more significant in daily life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large bag (袋) filled with delightful treats. The character looks like a bag slung over a shoulder, ready to carry goodies. The 'd' in 'dài' can remind you of 'drape' as if the bag drapes over your arm.

Meanings of 袋

dài(dai4)
1a pouch
2bag
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 袋

袋Simplified
11Strokes
衣Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#2234Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 袋

JasonAmy

Podcast: 袋

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 袋

Quick Contrast

袋 (dài) vs 包 (bāo) — use 袋 when referring specifically to a bag or pouch, while 包 is more general and can imply wrapping or packaging.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large bag (袋) filled with delightful treats. The character looks like a bag slung over a shoulder, ready to carry goodies. The 'd' in 'dài' can remind you of 'drape' as if the bag drapes over your arm.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 袋 (dài) with other similar-sounding words. It is typically used in both informal and formal settings but is more common in everyday language. Common collocations include 购物袋 (gòuwùdài - shopping bag) and 垃圾袋 (lājīdài - garbage bag).

HSK Study Tips

While 袋 is not on the official HSK lists, it is relevant for HSK 2 and above due to its practical usage in daily life. Students should focus on recognizing common phrases that include 袋, especially those related to shopping.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the use of reusable shopping bags has become increasingly popular due to environmental awareness. Many cities have implemented bans on plastic bags, making the concept of a 袋 even more significant in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 袋 (dài) with 包 (bāo), which also means 'bag' but has different nuances. For example, say '购物袋' (gòuwùdài) for 'shopping bag' rather than incorrectly using 包.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 袋

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 袋 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 袋

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

Phonosemantic compound. 衣 represents the meaning and 代 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

clothes

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 袋?

Decomposition of 袋

IDS Structure⿱代衣
袋Full Character
=
代dai4
top
衣yi1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 袋?

Write 袋

袋

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 袋

袋 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 5 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

妈妈买了两____米。

Mom bought two bags of rice.

Common Confusions with 袋

袋vs大
dà

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

袋vs带
dài

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "a pouch"?

or

Example Sentences for 袋 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
斯坦把装了钱的纸袋卷了起来。

sī tǎn bǎ zhuāng le qián de zhǐ dài juàn le qǐ lái。

Stein rolled up the paper bag with the money inside.
2
我们把手探进一袋信件中抽取获奖者。

wǒ mén bǎ shǒu tàn jìn yī dài xìn jiàn zhōng chōu qǔ huò jiǎng zhě。

We delved through a sackful of letters to draw the winning name.
3
球砸中他的脑袋，从而让他化解了一次射门。

qiú zá zhōng tā de nǎo dài， ， cóng ér ràng tā huà jiě le yī cì shè。

He saved one shot when the ball hit him on the head.
4
他把先前检查过的那些口袋又查了一遍，毫无收获。

tā bǎ xiān qián jiǎn chá guò de nà xiē kǒu dài yòu chá le yī biàn， ， háo wú shōu。

Uselessly, he checked the same pockets he'd checked before.
5
他把口袋扎紧，拿到外边。

tā bǎ kǒu dài zā jǐn， ， ná dào wài。

He tied up the bag and took it outside.
6
把好苹果放在有孔的聚乙烯袋中保存。

bǎ hǎo píng guǒ fàng zài yǒu kǒng de jù yǐ xī dài zhōng bǎo cún。

Keep good apples in perforated polythene bags.
7
她用力把烟灰缸从房间那头扔过来，差点砸到我的脑袋。

tā yòng lì bǎ yān huī gāng cóng fáng jiān nà tóu rēng guò lái， ， chà diǎn zá dào wǒ de nǎo。

She hurled the ashtray across the room, narrowly missing my head.
8
我把手伸进口袋，掏出了那封信。

wǒ bǎ shǒu shēn jìn kǒu dài， ， tāo chū le nà fēng。

I put my hand into my pocket and pulled out the letter.
9
“谢了，朋友，”他说着就把钱划拉进了口袋。

“ “ xiè， le ，，” péng yǒu ，” tā shuō zháo jiù bǎ qián huá lā jìn。

"Thanks friend," he said, while sweeping the money into his pocket.
10
我慢慢地把那些沉重的黑色尼龙袋的拉链拉上并锁好。

wǒ màn màn dì bǎ nà xiē chén zhòng de hēi sè ní lóng dài de lā liàn lā shàng bìng suǒ hǎo。

I slowly zipped and locked the heavy black nylon bags.

Cultural Notes for 袋

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, bags are often associated with the concept of carrying one's fortune. It is common to give red bags (红包) during festivals, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the use of reusable shopping bags has become increasingly popular due to environmental awareness. Many cities have implemented bans on plastic bags, making the concept of a 袋 even more significant in daily life.

Word Family of 袋

Words Containing This Character18
脑袋nǎodaihead腦袋
袋dàipouch
口袋kǒudaipocket
袋子bag
塑料袋sùliàodàiplastic bag
眼袋bags under the eyes
麻袋sack
袋鼠kangaroo
睡袋shuìdàisleeping bag
热水袋hot water bottle熱水袋
沙袋sandbag
布袋pouch
钱袋purse錢袋
冰袋ice bag
旅行袋travel bag
行李袋travel bag
烟袋tobacco pipe煙袋
衣袋pocket
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 脑袋 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 袋

Common phrases with 袋 include '购物袋' (gòuwùdài), meaning 'shopping bag,' and '塑料袋' (sùliàodài), meaning 'plastic bag.' These phrases are useful when discussing shopping or transportation of items.