HSK 5, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #2514, Medium
填
tián
(of a form etc) to fill in
HSK 5, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #2514, Medium
填
tián
to fill, to pad, to stuff
HSK 5, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #2514, Medium
tián(tian2) T2
1to fill or stuff
2(of a form etc) to fill in
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March 24, 2026
填tián(tian2)
The character 填 (tián) means 'to fill' or 'to stuff.' It is commonly used in contexts such as filling in forms, adding content to spaces, or packing items tightly. This character can also denote the act of completing a document or a physical space.
Strokes13Radical土Frequency#2514DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, filling out forms is often associated with bureaucratic processes, whether for education, employment, or government applications. Mastering this verb is essential for navigating daily life in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant filling a large container with rice. The shape of the character 填 can be visualized as a container (the top part) being filled with substance (the bottom part), helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation 'tián' which sounds like 'tian' in 'tian mi,' meaning sweet rice.
Meanings of 填
tián(tian2)
1to fill or stuff
2(of a form etc) to fill in
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 填
填Simplified
13Strokes
土Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2514Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 填
Podcast: 填
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AI Study Notes for 填
Quick Contrast
填 (tián) vs 装 (zhuāng) — use 填 for filling in spaces or forms, while 装 refers to packing or installing items.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant filling a large container with rice. The shape of the character 填 can be visualized as a container (the top part) being filled with substance (the bottom part), helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation 'tián' which sounds like 'tian' in 'tian mi,' meaning sweet rice.
Usage Notes
When using 填, be careful not to confuse it with similar verbs like 写 (xiě, to write) or 加 (jiā, to add). This verb is generally informal, commonly used in everyday conversation as well as in written contexts, especially forms and applications.
HSK Study Tips
Although 填 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it is relevant for learners as it relates to filling in forms, a common activity. Students should focus on its usage with related verbs and nouns, like 填表 (tián biǎo, to fill in a form).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, filling out forms is often associated with bureaucratic processes, whether for education, employment, or government applications. Mastering this verb is essential for navigating daily life in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 填 with the character 写 (xiě), leading to incorrect phrases like 填字 (tián zì, intended as 'fill in words' but means 'stuff characters'). The correct phrase should be 填写 (tián xiě) for filling in written content.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 填
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Grammar Patterns of 填
填 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 5
Complete the Sentence
他们____了一肚子的冰激凌、巧克力和棒棒糖。
They stuffed themselves with ice creams, chocolate and lollies.
Common Confusions with 填
填vs甜
tián
Same pinyin but different meaning and usage.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to fill or stuff"?
or
Example Sentences for 填 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们填了一肚子的冰激凌、巧克力和棒棒糖。
tā mén tián le yī dù zǐ de bīng jī líng、 、 qiǎo kè lì hé bàng bàng。
They stuffed themselves with ice creams, chocolate and lollies.
tián chū suǒ quē shǎo de dān cí， ， nǐ jiù huì yíng dé yīT jiàn。
Supply the missing word(s) and you could win a T-shirt.
Cultural Notes for 填
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, filling out forms is often associated with bureaucratic processes, whether for education, employment, or government applications. Mastering this verb is essential for navigating daily life in China.
Word Family of 填
Words Containing This Character20
填tiánto fill or stuff
填写tiánxiěto fill in a form填寫
填补tiánbǔto fill a gap填補
填充tiánchōngpad
填满to cram填滿
填表fill a form
充填to pad out
填料packing material
填词to compose a poem (to a given tune)填詞
填空tiánkòngto fill a job vacancy
义愤填膺righteous indignation fills one's breast (idiom); to feel indignant at injustice義憤填膺
填塞to fill up
填鸭式force feeding (as a teaching method)填鴨式
填充剂bulking agent填充劑
填鸭to force-feed ducks填鴨
欲壑难填bottomless pit of desire (idiom); insatiable greed慾壑難填
精卫填海task of Sisyphus精衛填海
填堵to stuff
填房second wife (of a widower)
义愤填胸righteous indignation fills one's breast (idiom); to feel indignant at injustice義憤填胸
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 填 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 填
Common phrases with 填 include 填写 (tiánxiě), which means 'to fill out' and 填补 (tiánbǔ), meaning 'to fill in gaps' or 'to replenish.' These phrases are useful for both everyday conversation and formal contexts.
Yes, 填 (tián) is frequently used in formal writing, especially in documents that require filling out information. It's important to use it correctly to avoid any misunderstandings in official forms.
填 (tián) means 'to fill' or 'to stuff.' It is commonly used in contexts where something needs to be filled in, such as forms or documents. This character can also refer to filling a space or padding something.
You can use 填 (tián) in sentences like '请填这个表格' (Please fill out this form) or '他填满了箱子' (He filled the box). It is often used with objects that can be filled, like forms, boxes, or containers.
You can say 填表格 (tián biǎo gé) to mean 'fill out a form.'
Yes, 填 can be synonymous with 塞 (sāi), which also means 'to stuff' but is more commonly used for filling physical spaces.
While 填 is mainly informal, it is also used in official contexts when referring to forms or applications.
