HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to plagiarize
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to search and seize
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to raid
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to grab
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to go off with
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to take a shortcut
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to make a turning move
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
to fold one's arms
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
抄
chāo
copy, plagiarism; to confiscate, to seize
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6810, Medium
chāo(chao1) T1
1to make a copy
2to plagiarize
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
抄chāo(chao1)
The character 抄 (chāo) primarily means 'to copy' or 'to make a copy.' It is often used in contexts involving plagiarism or illegal copying, as well as in legal situations where something is confiscated or seized. Additionally, it can refer to taking shortcuts or making quick turns, showcasing its versatility in usage.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#6810DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, plagiarism is taken very seriously, especially in academic settings, so the use of 抄 carries significant weight in discussions about integrity and originality. This reflects a broader cultural value placed on hard work and authenticity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a thief, with arms folded (the two horizontal lines of 抄), sneaking away with someone else's work (copying). You can remember 'chāo' by picturing them 'going off with' the papers, making it a vivid image of both copying and stealing.
Meanings of 抄
chāo(chao1)
1to make a copy
2to plagiarize
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 抄
抄Simplified
7Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6810Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 抄
Podcast: 抄
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 抄
Quick Contrast
抄 (chāo) vs 摹 (mó) — use 抄 when referring to copying text or documents, while 摹 emphasizes imitating or tracing an artistic work.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a thief, with arms folded (the two horizontal lines of 抄), sneaking away with someone else's work (copying). You can remember 'chāo' by picturing them 'going off with' the papers, making it a vivid image of both copying and stealing.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 抄 with 复印 (fùyìn), which specifically means 'to photocopy.' Remember that 抄 can imply negative connotations like plagiarism, so it's important to use it carefully. In informal contexts, it can be used to describe shortcut methods, while in formal contexts, it may relate to legal actions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 抄 connects with other verbs of action and copying, such as 写 (xiě, to write) and 复制 (fùzhì, to duplicate). Students should focus on the different contexts in which 抄 can be used, especially those that imply legality and ethics.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, plagiarism is taken very seriously, especially in academic settings, so the use of 抄 carries significant weight in discussions about integrity and originality. This reflects a broader cultural value placed on hard work and authenticity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 抄 with other similar verbs like 复制 (fùzhì). For example, saying '我想複製这个文件' instead of '我想抄这个文件' can lead to misunderstandings about the intent behind copying.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 抄
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 抄 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 抄 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 抄
抄 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 10 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.
tā jué dìng chāo jìn lù zǒu gé lín ní zhì gōng yuán chuān guò xī sī qū。
He decided to cut across the Heath, through Greenwich Park.
9
他会让约翰偷偷抄下自己对一些极难的代数题的解答.
tā huì ràng yuē hàn tōu tōu chāo xià zì jǐ duì yī xiē jí nán de dài shù tí de jiě dá.
He would allow John slyly to copy his answers to impossibly difficult algebra questions.
10
走抄道去要近2里路.
zǒu chāo dào qù yào jìn2 2 lǐ.
If you take the shortcut, it will be two li closer.
Cultural Notes for 抄
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, plagiarism is taken very seriously, especially in academic settings, so the use of 抄 carries significant weight in discussions about integrity and originality. This reflects a broader cultural value placed on hard work and authenticity.
Word Family of 抄
Compounds1
莏
Words Containing This Character20
抄chāoto raid
抄袭chāoxíto copy抄襲
包抄to outflank
抄写chāoxiěto copy抄寫
抄本handwritten copy
抄录to make a copy of抄錄
照抄to copy word for word
抄送Cc (for email)
查抄to raid
抄家to search a house and confiscate possessions
摘抄to extract
小抄cheat sheet
抄手copyist
抄件duplicate (copy)
抄近路to take a shortcut
手抄本manuscript copy of a book (before the printing press)
传抄to copy (a text) from person to person傳抄
满门抄斩to execute the whole family unto the third generation滿門抄斬
抄小路to take the back roads
文抄公plagiarist
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 抄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 抄
It can mean to copy, to plagiarize, to raid, or to make a quick turn.
Yes, especially in legal or academic discussions regarding copying or seizing.
Use 抄 when referring to copying in a more informal or negative sense, like plagiarism, and 复制 for neutral copying, like photocopying.
