Meanings of 叉
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About 叉
Podcast: 叉
Podcast: 叉
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AI Study Notes for 叉
叉 (chā, fork) vs 刀 (dāo, knife) — choose 叉 when referring to a utensil for spearing food, while 刀 is used for cutting.
Be mindful that 叉 can be used both literally and metaphorically. In informal settings, it's common to hear it referring simply to a fork, while in formal contexts, it may describe the action of intersecting. Avoid confusing it with similar sounding words like 查 (chá, to check).
Although 叉 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it can be found in advanced vocabulary related to dining or geometry. Students should focus on its dual meanings and practice using it in sentences to reinforce understanding.
Learners often confuse 叉 with other similar sounding characters. For example, they might mistakenly say '查' (chá, to check) instead of '叉' (chā). Always remember that 叉 relates to forks and crossing.
Pronunciation of 叉
Drill the tone of 叉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 叉
A hand 又 grasping an object 丶
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 叉
- 1The giveawayA hand 又 grasping an object 丶
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 叉? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 叉?
Decomposition of 叉
Identify the Components
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How to say fork in Chinese
“fork” in Chinese is叉
The character 叉 (chā) primarily means 'fork' and can refer to both the eating utensil and a pitchfork used in farming. It also conveys the idea of crossing or intersecting, making it applicable in various contexts such as geometry or when describing paths that diverge.
When to use 叉
Be mindful that 叉 can be used both literally and metaphorically. In informal settings, it's common to hear it referring simply to a fork, while in formal contexts, it may describe the action of intersecting. Avoid confusing it with similar sounding words like 查 (chá, to check).
叉 or something close to it
叉 (chā, fork) vs 刀 (dāo, knife) — choose 叉 when referring to a utensil for spearing food, while 刀 is used for cutting.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 叉 with other similar sounding characters. For example, they might mistakenly say '查' (chá, to check) instead of '叉' (chā). Always remember that 叉 relates to forks and crossing.
Write 叉
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Practice writing 叉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 叉
叉 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 11 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.
Complete the Sentence
格雷丝把刀____摆放在午餐桌上。
Grace laid out the knives and forks at the lunch-table.
Common Confusions with 叉
Same pinyin tone but different meaning and radical.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "fork"?
Example Sentences for 叉 (10)
Word Family of 叉
Compound Meaning
What does 蚤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 叉
One common phrase is '叉手', which means 'to cross one's hands', used to describe a gesture of defiance or disagreement.
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