unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #22141, Very Hard
踮
diǎn
Taiwan pr. [dian4]
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #22141, Very Hard
diǎn(dian3) T3
1to tip-toe
2to stand on tiptoe
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March 24, 2026
踮diǎn(dian3)
踮 (diǎn) means to tip-toe or to stand on one's toes. This action is often used when someone is trying to reach something high or trying to be quiet. It can also imply a sense of stealth or lightness in movement.
Strokes15Radical足Frequency#22141DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, tip-toeing can symbolize a childlike innocence or playfulness, often seen in traditional performances or during games. It may also reflect the importance of grace and subtlety in movement, particularly in dance and martial arts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dancer trying to reach a high note while standing on tiptoe. The character 踮 consists of the foot radical '足' (zú) at the bottom, reminding you that it involves foot movement. The pronunciation 'diǎn' can be remembered as 'dance in the air' to enhance the imagery.
Meanings of 踮
diǎn(dian3)
1to tip-toe
2to stand on tiptoe
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 踮
踮Simplified
15Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 踮
Podcast: 踮
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AI Study Notes for 踮
Quick Contrast
轻轻 (qīngqīng, gently) vs 踮 (diǎn, tip-toe) — choose 踮 when emphasizing the action of standing on toes, while 轻轻 focuses on the manner of movement.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dancer trying to reach a high note while standing on tiptoe. The character 踮 consists of the foot radical '足' (zú) at the bottom, reminding you that it involves foot movement. The pronunciation 'diǎn' can be remembered as 'dance in the air' to enhance the imagery.
Usage Notes
踮 is generally used in informal contexts and can be combined with verbs to describe actions involving lightness or stealth. Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding words; thus, practicing its tones is vital. Common collocations include 踮起脚 (típǐng jiǎo - to stand on tiptoe).
HSK Study Tips
踮 is not included in the HSK levels but is related to physical actions that may appear in beginner vocabulary. Students should focus on the context of movement words and their combinations to build a broader understanding of verbs related to physical actions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, tip-toeing can symbolize a childlike innocence or playfulness, often seen in traditional performances or during games. It may also reflect the importance of grace and subtlety in movement, particularly in dance and martial arts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 踮 with 踏 (tà - to step on), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我踮上去' (wǒ diǎn shàngqù - I step on it) is incorrect; it should be '我踮起脚.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 踮
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Grammar Patterns of 踮
踮 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 3 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
他____着脚尖走到门口，只穿着袜子没穿鞋。
He tip-toed to the door in his stockinged feet.
Example Sentences for 踮 (4)
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1
他踮着脚尖走到门口，只穿着袜子没穿鞋。
tā diǎn zháo jiǎo jiān zǒu dào mén kǒu， ， zhī chuān zháo wà zǐ méi chuān。
He tip-toed to the door in his stockinged feet.
2
他站了一会儿，踮着脚跟前后摇晃。
tā zhàn le yī huì ér， ， diǎn zháo jiǎo gēn qián hòu yáo。
He stood a few moments, rocking back and forwards on his heels.
3
我踮着脚走到窗前。
wǒ diǎn zháo jiǎo zǒu dào chuāng qián。
I tiptoed over to the window.
4
我踮起脚才勉强够着电钮.
wǒ diǎn qǐ jiǎo cái miǎn qiáng gòu zháo diàn niǔ.
By standing on tip - toe, I managed to reach the button.
Cultural Notes for 踮
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, tip-toeing can symbolize a childlike innocence or playfulness, often seen in traditional performances or during games. It may also reflect the importance of grace and subtlety in movement, particularly in dance and martial arts.
Word Family of 踮
Words Containing This Character1
踮diǎnto stand on tiptoe
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 踮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 踮
踮 specifically refers to standing on tiptoe, while 站 (zhàn) simply means to stand.
踮 is mostly used in informal contexts, so it may not be suitable for formal writing.
踮 is pronounced as diǎn, with the third tone, which can be tricky, so practice saying it slowly.
