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跗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
跗fūarch, instepn, 12 strokes, radical 足, rank #64050, Very Hard
跗fūtarsusunknown, 12 strokes, radical 足, rank #64050, Very Hard
fū(fu1) T1
  1. 1arch, instep
  2. 2tarsus
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

跗fū(fu1)

The character 跗 (fū) refers to the arch or instep of the foot, specifically the tarsus area where the foot meets the ankle. It is a technical term often used in anatomy or discussions about foot structure and health. Understanding this term is useful in contexts related to medicine, sports, or physical therapy.

Strokes12Radical足Frequency#64050DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Understanding the structure of the foot, including the instep, is significant in traditional Chinese medicine, where foot health is linked to overall well-being. Foot care practices in China often emphasize the importance of proper foot alignment and support.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'foot arch' being 'foo-d' shaped, where the 'f' in fū represents the foot. Picture a bridge arching over a river, symbolizing the way your foot arches. This visual helps connect the shape of the arch with the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 跗

fū(fu1)
1arch, instep
2tarsus
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 跗

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

Podcast: 跗

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Podcast: 跗

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AI Study Notes for 跗

Usage Notes

This term is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal or academic contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with related terms like 脚 (jiǎo), meaning 'foot,' which is broader. Pay attention to the tone, as fū is pronounced with a high level tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 跗 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to other vocabulary related to body parts and health. Students at this level should focus on the anatomy of the body and related terms to deepen their understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 跗 with 脚 (jiǎo) and use it incorrectly to mean 'foot' in general. Remember that 跗 specifically refers to the instep or arch area, not the whole foot.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 跗

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Etymology of 跗

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

foot

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 跗

  1. 1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half付 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 跗? 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 跗?

Decomposition of 跗

IDS Structure⿰足付
跗Full Character
=
足ju4
left
付Fu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 跗?

How to say arch, instep in Chinese

“arch, instep” in Chinese is跗fū

The character 跗 (fū) refers to the arch or instep of the foot, specifically the tarsus area where the foot meets the ankle. It is a technical term often used in anatomy or discussions about foot structure and health. Understanding this term is useful in contexts related to medicine, sports, or physical therapy.

When to use 跗

This term is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal or academic contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with related terms like 脚 (jiǎo), meaning 'foot,' which is broader. Pay attention to the tone, as fū is pronounced with a high level tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 跗 with 脚 (jiǎo) and use it incorrectly to mean 'foot' in general. Remember that 跗 specifically refers to the instep or arch area, not the whole foot.

Write 跗

跗

Practice writing 跗 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 跗

Words Containing This Character1
跗fūinstep
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 跗 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 跗

It is pronounced as 'fū', with a high level tone.

Jason Recommends

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