unknown, 18 strokes, radical 金, rank #72572, Very Hard
鏊
ào
tava
unknown, 18 strokes, radical 金, rank #72572, Very Hard
ào(ao4) T4
1a flat iron cooking-plate for cakes
2griddle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
鏊ào(ao4)
The character 鏊 (ào) refers to a flat iron cooking-plate used primarily for making cakes, similar to a griddle or tava. It is commonly found in Chinese cooking, especially in regions where traditional methods of preparing bread and pancakes are practiced.
Strokes18Radical金Frequency#72572DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The use of 鏊 highlights the traditional cooking methods in Chinese culture, especially in rural areas where such flat iron plates are still prevalent for making staple foods like pancakes and breads.
Memory Tip
Imagine an 'iron' (the radical 金) cooking-plate that 'bakes' (sounds like 'ao') delicious cakes. Picture a giant iron frying pan sizzling with cakes, making your mouth water as the aroma fills the air.
Meanings of 鏊
ào(ao4)
1a flat iron cooking-plate for cakes
2griddle
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鏊
鏊Simplified
18Strokes
金Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鏊
Podcast: 鏊
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 鏊
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an 'iron' (the radical 金) cooking-plate that 'bakes' (sounds like 'ao') delicious cakes. Picture a giant iron frying pan sizzling with cakes, making your mouth water as the aroma fills the air.
Usage Notes
This term is generally used in informal contexts related to cooking. Be cautious with the pronunciation; the fourth tone can easily be confused with other terms. Common collocations include 鏊饼 (ào bǐng) for cakes cooked on this griddle.
HSK Study Tips
While 鏊 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is useful for learners interested in culinary terms. Connecting it to related cooking words like 煮 (zhǔ, to boil) or 烤 (kǎo, to roast) can enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
The use of 鏊 highlights the traditional cooking methods in Chinese culture, especially in rural areas where such flat iron plates are still prevalent for making staple foods like pancakes and breads.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鏊 (ào) with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, mixing it up with 搭 (dā, to build) can cause misunderstandings in culinary contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鏊
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 鏊 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 鏊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 鏊
🏮Cultural insight
The use of 鏊 highlights the traditional cooking methods in Chinese culture, especially in rural areas where such flat iron plates are still prevalent for making staple foods like pancakes and breads.
Word Family of 鏊
Words Containing This Character1
鏊àotava
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 鏊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鏊
While 鏊 specifically refers to a flat iron cooking-plate, other utensils like 煎锅 (jiān guō) are more general frying pans. 鏊 is distinct in its traditional use for cakes.
It is pronounced with a falling tone as 'ào', which is crucial to distinguish it from other homophones.
