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March 24, 2026
架jià(jia4)
The character 架 (jià) refers to a structure that supports or holds something, such as a frame or rack. It is often used in contexts related to physical support structures, like shelving or stands, and can also serve as a classifier for large vehicles and certain objects, emphasizing its role in supporting or framing items.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#1285DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese architecture, the concept of a 'frame' is crucial, as buildings often rely on wooden beams and structures to support their roofs, which reflects the importance of harmony and balance in design.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant '架' (jià) lifting a huge airplane off the ground. The character is made up of the wood radical (木), which suggests strength and support, combined with the component that resembles a frame. Picture this frame propping up the airplane, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 架
jià(jia4)
1to support
2frame
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 架
架Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1285Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2BCT✓CEFRA2
Podcast: 架
Podcast: 架
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AI Study Notes for 架
Quick Contrast
架 (jià) vs 框 (kuāng) — use 架 for support structures or frames, while 框 specifically refers to frames for pictures or windows.
Usage Notes
When using 架, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words. It is typically used in neutral or formal contexts, especially in discussions about architecture or engineering. Common collocations include '架子' (rack) and '飞机架' (airplane frame).
HSK Study Tips
While 架 is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, it can be related to other HSK words that deal with structures and support, such as '支撑' (to support) and '框架' (framework). Focus on its use in practical contexts to enhance understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 架 with similar characters like '加' (jiā) which means 'to add'. For example, saying '我需要一个加子' instead of '我需要一个架子' is incorrect. Remember that 架 relates to support structures.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 架
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How Well Do You Know 架?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 架 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
架 = 木 + 加. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 架
IDS Structure⿱加木
架Full Character
=
加Jia1
top
木Mu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 架?
How to say to support in Chinese
“to support” in Chinese is架jià
The character 架 (jià) refers to a structure that supports or holds something, such as a frame or rack. It is often used in contexts related to physical support structures, like shelving or stands, and can also serve as a classifier for large vehicles and certain objects, emphasizing its role in supporting or framing items.
When to use 架
When using 架, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words. It is typically used in neutral or formal contexts, especially in discussions about architecture or engineering. Common collocations include '架子' (rack) and '飞机架' (airplane frame).
架 or something close to it
架 (jià) vs 框 (kuāng) — use 架 for support structures or frames, while 框 specifically refers to frames for pictures or windows.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 架 with similar characters like '加' (jiā) which means 'to add'. For example, saying '我需要一个加子' instead of '我需要一个架子' is incorrect. Remember that 架 relates to support structures.
Write 架
架
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Grammar Patterns of 架
架 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 6 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.
As he talked, an airforce jet screamed over the town.
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Word Family of 架
Words Containing This Character20
架jiàframe
绑架bǎngjiàto kidnap綁架
吵架chǎojiàto quarrel
打架dǎjiàto fight
框架kuàngjiàframe
架子jiàzishelf
十字架cross
架构to construct架構
支架trestle
骨架framework
架势jiàshiattitude架勢
书架shūjiàbookshelf書架
担架stretcher擔架
货架shop shelf貨架
架设to construct架設
构架structure構架
衣架yījiàclothes hanger
招架to resist
高架桥viaduct高架橋
架空impractical
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 架
What does 绑架 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 架
Yes, 架 is commonly used in everyday conversation, particularly when discussing items like shelves, racks, or vehicles. It's also relevant in contexts related to construction or support structures. Knowing how to use this character can help you describe various objects more effectively.
In Chinese, classifiers are used with nouns to indicate quantity and measure. Examples include '个' (gè) for general items, '本' (běn) for books, and '架' (jià) specifically for large vehicles or frameworks. Understanding these classifiers is essential for forming correct sentences in Mandarin.
To use 架 in a sentence, you can say '这个架子很坚固' (Zhège jiàzi hěn jiāngù), which means 'This rack is very sturdy.' You can also use it to describe actions like supporting something, for example, '他在架起一个框架' (Tā zài jià qǐ yīgè kuàngjià), meaning 'He is setting up a framework.'
架 (jià) can mean to support or to frame. It is also used as a classifier for large vehicles, planes, and radios. Additionally, it can refer to a framework or rack that holds items.
A common collocation is '架子' (jiàzi), which means 'rack' or 'shelf'.
Yes, while it primarily refers to physical supports, it can also be used metaphorically to discuss frameworks in ideas or plans.
It is pronounced as 'jià', with a falling tone.
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