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跆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
跆táito trample, to kickn, 12 strokes, radical 足, rank #24918, Very Hard
tái(tai2) T2
  1. 1to trample, to kick
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

跆tái(tai2)

The character 跆 (tái) primarily means 'to trample' or 'to kick.' It is often used in martial arts contexts, particularly in relation to kicking techniques. The character can also convey a sense of forceful movement or aggression.

Strokes12Radical足Frequency#24918DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese martial arts, especially in Taekwondo, the concept of kicking is central, and 跆 represents this action. This character is often seen in signage or terminology related to martial arts schools in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a powerful foot trampling down on something. The character 跆 looks like a person kicking (the foot radical) with force. You can remember 'tái' by picturing a Taekwondo master showing off their kicking skills.

Meanings of 跆

tái(tai2)
1to trample, to kick
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 跆

跆Simplified
12Strokes
足Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 跆

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Podcast: 跆

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AI Study Notes for 跆

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 跆 with other similar-sounding characters. It is more commonly used in martial arts or aggressive contexts, so it may not be suitable for formal or polite conversations. Common collocations include 跆拳道 (Taekwondo) and 跆踢 (to kick).

HSK Study Tips

While 跆 is not yet in HSK vocabulary, it is helpful to connect it with related martial arts terms like 拳 (quán, fist) and 打 (dǎ, to hit). Focus on mastering the pronunciation and recognizing its usage in specific contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 跆 with the character 踏 (tà), which also relates to stepping or treading but has a different nuance. Remember, 跆 is specifically about kicking or trampling, not just stepping.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 跆

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Etymology of 跆

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

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 台 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

foot

Semantic (meaning)足
+
Phonetic (sound)台
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 跆

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 台 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half台 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayfoot
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 跆? 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 跆?

Decomposition of 跆

IDS Structure⿰足台
跆Full Character
=
足ju4
left
台Tai2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 跆?

How to say to trample, to kick in Chinese

“to trample, to kick” in Chinese is跆tái

The character 跆 (tái) primarily means 'to trample' or 'to kick.' It is often used in martial arts contexts, particularly in relation to kicking techniques. The character can also convey a sense of forceful movement or aggression.

When to use 跆

Be careful not to confuse 跆 with other similar-sounding characters. It is more commonly used in martial arts or aggressive contexts, so it may not be suitable for formal or polite conversations. Common collocations include 跆拳道 (Taekwondo) and 跆踢 (to kick).

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 跆 with the character 踏 (tà), which also relates to stepping or treading but has a different nuance. Remember, 跆 is specifically about kicking or trampling, not just stepping.

Write 跆

跆

Practice writing 跆 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 跆

Words Containing This Character2
跆拳道taekwondo (Korean martial art)
跆táito trample, to kick
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 跆拳道 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 跆

The pronunciation is 'tái,' with a rising tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the 't' sound.

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