HSK 5, ns, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #5527, Hard
桃
táo
peach; marriage; surname
HSK 5, ns, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #5527, Hard
táo(tao2) T2
1peach
2peach; marriage; surname
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March 24, 2026
桃táo(tao2)
The character 桃 (táo) primarily means 'peach,' referring to the fruit known for its sweet taste and smooth skin. It is commonly used in culinary contexts and symbolizes prosperity and fertility in Chinese culture, often associated with marriage and good fortune.
Strokes10Radical木Frequency#5527DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the peach is often associated with longevity and immortality, particularly in mythology where the gods are said to feast on the 'Peaches of Immortality.' This reflects the belief that peaches bring happiness and blessings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big, juicy peach (桃) sitting on a tree branch, with the sound 'táo' reminding you of the phrase 'towel'—as if you need a towel to wipe the juice off your chin while you eat it. The character resembles a tree with boughs (丶) holding up the fruit, symbolizing abundance.
Meanings of 桃
táo(tao2)
1peach
2peach; marriage; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 桃
桃Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#5527Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 桃
Podcast: 桃
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AI Study Notes for 桃
Quick Contrast
杏 (xìng) - use 桃 (táo) for 'peach' specifically, while 杏 (xìng) refers to 'apricot,' a different fruit.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big, juicy peach (桃) sitting on a tree branch, with the sound 'táo' reminding you of the phrase 'towel'—as if you need a towel to wipe the juice off your chin while you eat it. The character resembles a tree with boughs (丶) holding up the fruit, symbolizing abundance.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 桃 with other similar fruits in Chinese, such as 梨 (lí, pear) or 橙 (chéng, orange). The word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing food or cultural traditions. Common collocations include '桃子' (táozi, peach) and '桃花' (táohuā, peach blossom).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 桃 connects to other fruit-related vocabulary and symbols of good fortune. Students should focus on differentiating between fruits and their cultural significance, particularly in idiomatic expressions and marriage-related contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the peach is often associated with longevity and immortality, particularly in mythology where the gods are said to feast on the 'Peaches of Immortality.' This reflects the belief that peaches bring happiness and blessings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 桃 with similar-sounding characters like 逃 (táo, to escape) due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 桃 relates specifically to the fruit and cultural connotations, while 逃 has a completely different meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 桃
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Grammar Patterns of 桃
桃 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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 4
Complete the Sentence
我能闻到瓜____熟透了的香甜味道。
I could smell the honeyed ripeness of melons and peaches.
Common Confusions with 桃
桃vs梅
méi
Both are fruit trees, but 桃 is a peach and 梅 is a plum.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "peach"?
or
Example Sentences for 桃 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我能闻到瓜桃熟透了的香甜味道。
wǒ néng wén dào guā táo shú tòu le de xiāng tián wèi dào。
I could smell the honeyed ripeness of melons and peaches.
2
她看着他刨平一块胡桃木板。
tā kàn zháo tā páo píng yī kuài hú táo mù bǎn。
She watches him plane the surface of a walnut board.
Cherries vary in colour from almost black to yellow.
10
红桃是主。
hóng táo shì zhǔ。
Hearts are trumps.
Cultural Notes for 桃
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the peach is often associated with longevity and immortality, particularly in mythology where the gods are said to feast on the 'Peaches of Immortality.' This reflects the belief that peaches bring happiness and blessings.
Word Family of 桃
Words Containing This Character20
桃táopeach
樱桃cherry櫻桃
桃花táohuāpeach blossom
核桃hétaowalnut
桃子peach
胡桃walnut
猕猴桃kiwi fruit獼猴桃
桃花运a romance桃花運
扁桃体tonsil扁桃體
世外桃源utopia
桃园Taoyuan city and county in Taiwan桃園
水蜜桃honey peach
蜜桃honey peach
黑桃spade ♠ (in card games)
桃色pink
桃红pink桃紅
桃源Taoyuan county in Changde 常德[Chángdé], Hunan
桃树táoshùpeach tree桃樹
山核桃hickory
桃花源utopia
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 桃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 桃
桃 refers to the peach in general, while 桃子 specifically means 'peach fruit.'
Yes, 桃 can symbolize marriage and good fortune in certain contexts.
桃 is pronounced as 'táo' in the second tone, so ensure not to confuse it with other characters that may have similar pinyin but different tones.
