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划 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
划huáto rowHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto paddleHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáprofitableHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáworth (the effort)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáit pays (to do sth)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto cutHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto slashHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto scratch (cut into the surface of sth)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto strike (a match)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto delimitHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto transferHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto assignHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto planHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto draw (a line)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huástroke of a Chinese characterHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huáto row or paddle a boat; to scratch; to plan; profitableHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto rowHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto paddleHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàprofitableHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàworth (the effort)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàit pays (to do sth)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto cutHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto slashHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto scratch (cut into the surface of sth)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto strike (a match)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto delimitHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto transferHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto assignHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto planHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto draw (a line)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàstroke of a Chinese characterHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
划huàto row or paddle a boat; to scratch; to plan; profitableHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2733, Hard
huá(hua2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1to row
  2. 2to paddle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

划(劃)huá(hua2)

The character 划 (huá) primarily means 'to row' or 'to paddle,' but it has several nuanced meanings including 'to cut,' 'to scratch,' and 'to plan.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions like rowing a boat, as well as abstract actions like planning or making assignments.

Strokes6Radical刂Frequency#2733DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, water transport played a significant role in trade and daily life, making the concept of 划 (to row) a practical and culturally relevant skill. Rowing has historical roots in various Chinese waterway activities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a rower on a boat, using an oar to划 (huá) through the water. The left side of the character (刀) resembles a knife, which connects to the meanings of 'cutting' or 'scratching.' Picture the rower cutting through the waves as they划 their way across the lake.

Meanings of 划

huá(hua2)
primary
1to row
2to paddle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 划

划Simplified
劃Traditional
6Strokes
刂Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2733Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2BCT✓CEFRB1

Podcast: 划

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Podcast: 划

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 划

Quick Contrast

划 (huá) vs 切 (qiē) — use 划 for actions involving rowing or abstract planning, while 切 is specifically for cutting or slicing.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is to confuse 划 with 画 (huà), which means 'to draw' in the artistic sense. 划 is more about physical actions and planning. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 划 connects with other vocabulary related to actions and planning. Focus on its various meanings and practice using it in sentences that involve both physical actions and abstract concepts like planning or assigning tasks.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 划 with 画 (huà), mistakenly using 划 when talking about drawing art. For example, saying '我喜欢划画' (I like row drawing) instead of '我喜欢画画' (I like drawing). Correct this by remembering that 划 is for actions involving water or cutting.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 划

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Etymology of 划

Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 戈 represents the sound. In simplified Chinese 划 is also used to mean "cut; slash; draw line", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 劃.

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 划

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 戈 represents the sound. In simplified Chinese 划 is also used to mean "cut; slash; draw line", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 劃.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 划? 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 划?

Decomposition of 划

IDS Structure⿰戈刂
划Full Character
=
戈Ge1
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 划?

How to say to row in Chinese

“to row” in Chinese is划huá

The character 划 (huá) primarily means 'to row' or 'to paddle,' but it has several nuanced meanings including 'to cut,' 'to scratch,' and 'to plan.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions like rowing a boat, as well as abstract actions like planning or making assignments.

When to use 划

A common mistake is to confuse 划 with 画 (huà), which means 'to draw' in the artistic sense. 划 is more about physical actions and planning. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.

划 or something close to it

划 (huá) vs 切 (qiē) — use 划 for actions involving rowing or abstract planning, while 切 is specifically for cutting or slicing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 划 with 画 (huà), mistakenly using 划 when talking about drawing art. For example, saying '我喜欢划画' (I like row drawing) instead of '我喜欢画画' (I like drawing). Correct this by remembering that 划 is for actions involving water or cutting.

Write 划

划

Practice writing 划 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 划

划 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 16 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons6
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

This pattern emphasizes the action or state described by the verb.

这是划船的好地方。

zhè shì huá chuán de hǎo dìfāng.

This is a good place for rowing.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

这个计____看起来很完美，然而实施起来却很困难。

This plan looks perfect; however, it is very difficult to implement.

Common Confusions with 划

划vs画
huà

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to row"?

or

Usage Notes for 划

Common Misuse in ContextCommon Error

Learners often confuse 划 with 画 due to similar sounds. Ensure to use 划 in contexts related to rowing or delimiting.

1

我划船去钓鱼。

I rowed to go fishing.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我____船去钓鱼。

I rowed to go fishing.

Example Sentences for 划 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
石油工程师规划并管理石油的提炼。

shí yóu gōng chéng shī guī huá bìng guǎn lǐ shí yóu de tí liàn。

Petroleum engineers plan and manage the extraction of oil.
2
5只划艇排成一行从对岸出发了。

5 5 zhī huá tǐng pái chéng yī háng cóng duì àn chū fā。

A string of five rowing boats set out from the opposite bank.
3
教育部为这所新学校划拨了600万英镑的专款。

jiào yù bù wéi zhè suǒ xīn xué xiào huá bō le600 600 wàn yīng bàng de zhuān。

The education department has earmarked £6m for the new school.
4
他们称划船是最佳运动，它可以锻炼每一处主要肌肉群。

tā mén chēng huá chuán shì zuì jiā yùn dòng， ， tā kě yǐ duàn liàn měi yī chǔ zhǔ yào jī ròu。

They call rowing the perfect sport. It exercises every major muscle group.
5
他划亮一根火柴，伸长胳膊举着。

tā huá liàng yī gēn huǒ chái， ， shēn cháng gē bó jǔ。

He struck a match, and held it at arm's length.
6
他被控谋划妨碍司法公正。

tā bèi kòng móu huá fáng ài sī fǎ gōng zhèng。

He was charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
7
他划掉了“编剧”二字，改为“作者”。

tā huá diào le“ “ biān” jù ”， èr zì“ ， gǎi”。

He crossed out "Screenplay" and put "Written by" instead.
8
我们在外面划船的时候就发现风暴将至。

wǒ mén zài wài miàn huá chuán de shí hòu jiù fā xiàn fēng bào jiāng zhì。

We'd seen the storm brewing when we were out in the boat.
9
他拢岸让她下船，然后继续悠闲地在湖上划着。

tā lǒng àn ràng tā xià chuán， ， rán hòu jì xù yōu xián dì zài hú shàng huá。

He rowed her ashore and then continued trolling around the lake.
10
另外两个女孩同时朝着绳索做侧手翻，动作整齐划一，完美无瑕。

lìng wài liǎng gè nǚ hái tóng shí zhāo zháo shéng suǒ zuò cè shǒu fān， ， dòng zuò zhěng qí huá， yī ， wán měi。

With perfect synchronization, two other girls cartwheeled toward the ropes.

Cultural Notes for 划

💡Did you know?

在中国，划船是一项流行的休闲活动，尤其在夏季。许多城市的湖泊和河流都有租船服务，吸引游客和当地居民。

Word Family of 划

Words Containing This Character20
计划jìhuàplan計劃
规划guīhuàplanning規劃
划huáto delimit劃
策划cèhuàto plot策劃
划分huàfēnto divide up劃分
计划生育family planning計劃生育
划算huásuànto calculate
筹划chóuhuàto plan and prepare籌劃
计划经济planned economy計劃經濟
划船huáchuánto row a boat
谋划to scheme謀劃
五年计划Five-Year Plan五年計劃
划伤to gash劃傷
划定to demarcate劃定
划破to rip劃破
划清clear dividing line劃清
划痕a scratch劃痕
比划to gesture比劃
区划subdivision (e.g. of provinces into counties)區劃
策划人sponsor策劃人
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 计划 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 划

Some synonyms for 划 include 划船 (huá chuán) for rowing and 划算 (huá suàn) for something that is worth it. These phrases help convey similar meanings in different contexts.

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