unknown, 17 strokes, radical 足, rank #20556, Very Hard
dǎo(dao3)dao T3
1to tread on
2to trample
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March 24, 2026
蹈dǎo(dao3)
The character 蹈 (dǎo) primarily means 'to tread on' or 'to trample.' It can also refer to dancing or stamping the feet, often in a rhythmic manner. In some contexts, it signifies fulfilling an action or duty, highlighting both physical movement and the notion of execution or completion.
Strokes17Radical足Frequency#20556DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dance is often associated with celebrations and rituals, where the act of treading or stamping has symbolic meanings, such as expressing joy or honoring ancestors.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dancer joyfully stamping her feet on a stage, creating a rhythm with every tread. The character 蹈 is composed of the foot radical (足) and the character for 'to duplicate' (到), suggesting the idea of repeating the act of treading or dancing.
Meanings of 蹈
dǎo(dao3)
1to tread on
2to trample
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 蹈 means.
About 蹈
蹈Simplified
17Strokes
足Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#20556Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蹈
Podcast: 蹈
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AI Study Notes for 蹈
Quick Contrast
踏 (tà) - use 蹈 (dǎo) when emphasizing rhythmic or dance-like movement, while 踏 (tà) is more about stepping or treading without the rhythmic nuance.
Usage Notes
While 蹈 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is primarily seen in literary or artistic expressions related to dance. Be cautious with the tones; using dào instead of dǎo can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 蹈舞 (dǎo wǔ - to dance) and 蹈节 (dǎo jié - to follow a rhythm).
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the HSK vocabulary, students should recognize 蹈 in literary texts and poetry, especially when learning about traditional dances. Focus on its usage in idiomatic expressions and poetry to enrich understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蹈 with other similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. For example, saying '我喜欢蹈舞' (I like to tread dance) instead of '我喜欢跳舞' (I like to dance) is incorrect. The correct verb for dancing is 跳 (tiào).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蹈
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How Well Do You Know 蹈?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 蹈 is seven skills, not one.
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蹈 = 足 + 舀. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 蹈
IDS Structure⿰足舀
蹈Full Character
=
足ju4
left
舀yao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 蹈?
How to say to tread on in Chinese
“to tread on” in Chinese is蹈dǎo
The character 蹈 (dǎo) primarily means 'to tread on' or 'to trample.' It can also refer to dancing or stamping the feet, often in a rhythmic manner. In some contexts, it signifies fulfilling an action or duty, highlighting both physical movement and the notion of execution or completion.
When to use 蹈
While 蹈 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is primarily seen in literary or artistic expressions related to dance. Be cautious with the tones; using dào instead of dǎo can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 蹈舞 (dǎo wǔ - to dance) and 蹈节 (dǎo jié - to follow a rhythm).
蹈 or something close to it
踏 (tà) - use 蹈 (dǎo) when emphasizing rhythmic or dance-like movement, while 踏 (tà) is more about stepping or treading without the rhythmic nuance.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蹈 with other similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. For example, saying '我喜欢蹈舞' (I like to tread dance) instead of '我喜欢跳舞' (I like to dance) is incorrect. The correct verb for dancing is 跳 (tiào).
Write 蹈
蹈
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Practice writing 蹈 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 蹈
蹈 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 7 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
伦敦市芭蕾舞团从波修瓦芭蕾舞团聘来了两名男舞____演员。
The London City Ballet has engaged two male dancers from the Bolshoi.
