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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#6810DifficultyHard
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
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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.
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.
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
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 少 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half少 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 抄? 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 抄?
Decomposition of 抄
IDS Structure⿰扌少
抄Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
少shao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 抄?
How to say to make a copy in Chinese
“to make a copy” in Chinese is抄chāo
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.
When to use 抄
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.
抄 or something close to it
抄 (chāo) vs 摹 (mó) — use 抄 when referring to copying text or documents, while 摹 emphasizes imitating or tracing an artistic work.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 抄
抄
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Practice writing 抄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
