HSK 6, zg, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
踩
cǎi
to tread
HSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
踩
cǎi
to press a pedal
HSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
踩
cǎi
to pedal (a bike)
HSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
cǎi(cai3) T3
1to step on; to stamp
2to tread
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March 24, 2026
踩(跴)cǎi(cai3)
The character 踩 (cǎi) means 'to step on' or 'to stamp.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions where one is putting pressure on a surface, such as stepping on an object or pressing down on a pedal. The nuance can imply forcefulness or emphasis in the action.
Strokes15Radical足Frequency#2334DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of stepping on something can symbolize dominance or control, particularly in competitive environments. For example, in sports or games, '踩' can imply outdoing an opponent.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant foot coming down to '踩' (cǎi) on a crunchy leaf, making a satisfying sound. The character has the 'foot' radical (足) which visually connects to the action of stepping, and the '才' component can remind you of 'time'—you only step down when the time is right!
Meanings of 踩
cǎi(cai3)
1to step on; to stamp
2to tread
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 踩
踩Simplified
跴Traditional
15Strokes
足Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2334Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 踩
Podcast: 踩
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AI Study Notes for 踩
Quick Contrast
踩 (cǎi) vs 踏 (tà) — use 踩 when emphasizing the action of stepping on something forcefully, while 踏 is more about the act of stepping or treading without the same forceful connotation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant foot coming down to '踩' (cǎi) on a crunchy leaf, making a satisfying sound. The character has the 'foot' radical (足) which visually connects to the action of stepping, and the '才' component can remind you of 'time'—you only step down when the time is right!
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 踩 with similar verbs like 踏 (tà), which also means 'to tread' but carries a softer connotation. Use 踩 in informal contexts, while 踏 might be more suitable for formal writing. Pay attention to the third tone in pronunciation to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 踩 connects with other action verbs like 跑 (pǎo, 'to run') and 跳 (tiào, 'to jump'). Focus on using it in compound phrases, such as 踩油门 (cǎi yóumén, 'to press the accelerator') to expand your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of stepping on something can symbolize dominance or control, particularly in competitive environments. For example, in sports or games, '踩' can imply outdoing an opponent.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 踩 with a second tone, saying 'cái' instead of 'cǎi.' Additionally, they might confuse its meaning with 踏, using 踩 where a gentler term is needed, such as saying '他踩得很轻' (Tā cǎi de hěn qīng) instead of '他踏得很轻' (Tā tà de hěn qīng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 踩
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Grammar Patterns of 踩
踩 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我猛地一____刹车，结果车子打滑了。
I slammed the brakes on and went into a skid.
Common Confusions with 踩
Both characters share similar meanings of stepping or treading, but 踩 is the more standard form.
1
他踩在水洼上。 (He stepped on the puddle.)
Both characters share similar meanings of stepping or treading, but 踩 is the more standard form.
💡Remember 踩 is the standard form, while this variant is less commonly used.
The crowd stampeded and many were crushed or trampled underfoot.
7
他们正好踩上了饵雷，结果被炸得粉身碎骨。
tā mén zhèng hǎo cǎi shàng le ěr léi， ， jié guǒ bèi zhà dé fěn shēn suì。
They walked right into a booby-trap and got blown to smithereens.
8
我试图去够脚刹，但是没能踩到。
wǒ shì tú qù gòu jiǎo chà， ， dàn shì méi néng cǎi。
I tried to reach the foot brakes but I couldn't.
9
她一脚踩空，头朝下摔下了楼梯。
tā yī jiǎo cǎi kōng， ， tóu zhāo xià shuāi xià le lóu。
She missed her footing and fell headlong down the stairs.
10
刹车踩得越用力，车子减速越猛。
chà chē cǎi dé yuè yòng lì， ， chē zǐ jiǎn sù yuè。
The harder the brake pedal is pressed, the greater the car's deceleration.
Cultural Notes for 踩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of stepping on something can symbolize dominance or control, particularly in competitive environments. For example, in sports or games, '踩' can imply outdoing an opponent.
Word Family of 踩
Words Containing This Character5
踩cǎito step on
踩踏to trample on
踩高跷to walk on stilts踩高蹺
踩水to tread water
脚踩两只船to have a foot in both camps腳踩兩隻船
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 踩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 踩
You can say '他踩了我的脚' (Tā cǎi le wǒ de jiǎo), meaning 'He stepped on my foot.'
No, 踩 is generally used in informal contexts; for formal writing, consider using 踏.
踩 often implies a more aggressive action, while 踏 is more neutral and can refer to walking or treading gently.
