unknown, 13 strokes, radical 足, rank #29604, Very Hard
qiāo(qiao1) T1
1to stand on tiptoe; stilts
2to raise one's foot
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March 24, 2026
跷(蹺)qiāo(qiao1)
The character 跷 (qiāo) primarily means to stand on tiptoe or to raise one's foot, often used in contexts where someone is trying to reach something higher. It can also refer to stilts, emphasizing a physical elevation or a way of lifting oneself above the ground. This character conveys a sense of striving for a higher perspective or position.
Strokes13Radical足Frequency#29604DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese theater, actors often use stilts in performances to create dramatic effects or to portray larger-than-life characters, making the idea of 'standing tall' culturally significant.
Memory Tip
Imagine a curious child trying to see over a fence by standing on tiptoe, their feet raised high. The character 跷 has '走' (to walk) at its base, indicating movement, while the top part suggests a person elevating themselves to get a better view. Think of 'qiāo' as 'climbing' up to see what’s beyond.
Meanings of 跷
qiāo(qiao1)
1to stand on tiptoe; stilts
2to raise one's foot
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 跷
跷Simplified
蹺Traditional
13Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 跷
Podcast: 跷
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AI Study Notes for 跷
Quick Contrast
踮 (diǎn) vs 跷 (qiāo): use 跷 when emphasizing standing on tiptoe for height, while 踮 focuses more on the action of raising the heel.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a curious child trying to see over a fence by standing on tiptoe, their feet raised high. The character 跷 has '走' (to walk) at its base, indicating movement, while the top part suggests a person elevating themselves to get a better view. Think of 'qiāo' as 'climbing' up to see what’s beyond.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 跷 with similar characters like 踮 (diān), which also relates to raising the foot but implies a more delicate action. This word is generally informal and used in everyday conversation. Be mindful of using the correct tone, as a mispronunciation can lead to misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Although not part of the official HSK levels, 跷 connects with basic verbs related to movement and positioning. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in compound terms related to physical elevation or movement, as it can enhance their vocabulary on actions.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese theater, actors often use stilts in performances to create dramatic effects or to portray larger-than-life characters, making the idea of 'standing tall' culturally significant.
Common Mistakes
Learners often incorrectly use 跷 when they mean to say 踮; for example, saying '我在路上跷我的脚' (I am standing on tiptoe on the road) should be corrected to '我在路上踮我的脚' to convey the intended lightness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跷
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Grammar Patterns of 跷
跷 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
她坐到一把扶手椅上，____起了二郎腿。
She sank into an armchair and crossed her legs.
Example Sentences for 跷 (4)
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1
她坐到一把扶手椅上，跷起了二郎腿。
tā zuò dào yī bǎ fú shǒu yǐ shàng， ， qiāo qǐ le èr láng。
She sank into an armchair and crossed her legs.
2
这事儿真蹊跷！
zhè shì ér zhēn qī qiāo！
What an extraordinary thing to happen!
3
社区变成了玩杂耍的、踩高跷的和扮装皇后的天地。
shè qū biàn chéng le wán zá shuǎ de、 、 cǎi gāo qiāo de hé bàn zhuāng huáng hòu de tiān。
The neighborhood is given over to performers, stilt walkers and drag queens.
4
今年的价格像跷跷板一样时涨时跌.
jīn nián de jià gé xiàng qiāo qiāo bǎn yī yàng shí zhǎng shí diē.
Prices have gone up and down like a seesaw this year.
Cultural Notes for 跷
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese theater, actors often use stilts in performances to create dramatic effects or to portray larger-than-life characters, making the idea of 'standing tall' culturally significant.
Word Family of 跷
Words Containing This Character5
蹊跷odd蹊蹺
跷qiāostilts蹺
跷跷板see-saw蹺蹺板
高跷stilts高蹺
踩高跷to walk on stilts踩高蹺
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蹊跷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 跷
While 跷 specifically means to stand on tiptoe, other verbs like 踮 emphasize a lighter or more delicate raising of the foot.
It is generally informal and more suited for conversational contexts rather than formal writing.
You might hear it when discussing how someone tries to reach something high or when describing actions in a playful context.
