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March 24, 2026
陶táo(Tao2)
The character 陶 (táo) primarily refers to pottery or ceramics, reflecting its significance in traditional Chinese craftsmanship. In addition to its material meaning, it can also function as a surname, Tao, and can convey a sense of being pleased or delighted in certain contexts. Its usage is common in discussions about art, culture, and family names.
Strokes10Radical阝Frequency#6938DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
陶 is deeply connected to Chinese culture, as pottery has been an essential part of Chinese heritage for thousands of years, symbolizing both artistic expression and functionality in daily life. The famous Terracotta Army is a notable example of historical pottery.
Memory Tip
Imagine a potter (陶) shaping clay on a wheel. The character has a roof (亠) representing the workshop above and the character for clay (土) at the bottom, suggesting a connection to pottery. The pronunciation 'táo' sounds like 'towel', which you might use to wipe your hands after working with clay.
Meanings of 陶
táo(Tao2)
1pottery
2pleased
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 陶
陶Simplified
10Strokes
阝Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#6938Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 陶
Podcast: 陶
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AI Study Notes for 陶
Usage Notes
When using 陶, be mindful of its context to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words. It's more common in formal contexts when referring to ceramics, while the surname usage is more informal. Avoid mixing it up with other characters that sound similar, like 逃 (táo - to escape).
HSK Study Tips
Although 陶 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is related to concepts of craftsmanship and art found in Level 3-4 words. Students should focus on recognizing it in the context of cultural discussions and connect it with related terms like 瓷 (cí - porcelain) to enhance understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 陶 as 'tāo' with a high tone instead of the correct rising tone 'táo'. Additionally, some confuse it with 逃, which means to escape, leading to incorrect usage in sentences.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 陶
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1The giveawayA mound 阝 of clay 匋; 匋 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 陶? 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 陶?
Decomposition of 陶
IDS Structure⿰阝匋
陶Full Character
=
阝yi4
left
匋tao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 陶?
How to say surname Tao in Chinese
“surname Tao” in Chinese is陶táo
The character 陶 (táo) primarily refers to pottery or ceramics, reflecting its significance in traditional Chinese craftsmanship. In addition to its material meaning, it can also function as a surname, Tao, and can convey a sense of being pleased or delighted in certain contexts. Its usage is common in discussions about art, culture, and family names.
When to use 陶
When using 陶, be mindful of its context to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words. It's more common in formal contexts when referring to ceramics, while the surname usage is more informal. Avoid mixing it up with other characters that sound similar, like 逃 (táo - to escape).
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 陶 as 'tāo' with a high tone instead of the correct rising tone 'táo'. Additionally, some confuse it with 逃, which means to escape, leading to incorrect usage in sentences.
Write 陶
陶
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Practice writing 陶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 陶
陶 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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.
