HSK 7, zg, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #11733, Hard
叼
diāo
to hold with one's mouth (as a smoker with a cigarette or a dog with a bone)
HSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 口, rank #11733, Hard
diāo(diao1) T1
1to hold in the mouth
2to hold with one's mouth (as a smoker with a cigarette or a dog with a bone)
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March 24, 2026
叼diāo(diao1)
The character 叼 (diāo) refers to the action of holding something in one's mouth, commonly used to describe how animals, like dogs, carry items or how someone might hold a cigarette. This word can convey a casual or somewhat playful tone, often used when describing actions involving the mouth that are not strictly about eating.
Strokes5Radical口Frequency#11733DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of holding something in the mouth can often be seen in traditional settings, such as smoking or carrying tools, reflecting a more relaxed attitude towards multitasking.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dog proudly carrying a bone in its mouth. The character 叼 has a 'mouth' radical (口) on the left, emphasizing the action of holding something with the mouth. Picture the dog saying 'Diāo, look at my bone!' to remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 叼
diāo(diao1)
1to hold in the mouth
2to hold with one's mouth (as a smoker with a cigarette or a dog with a bone)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 叼
叼Simplified
5Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#11733Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 叼
Podcast: 叼
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AI Study Notes for 叼
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dog proudly carrying a bone in its mouth. The character 叼 has a 'mouth' radical (口) on the left, emphasizing the action of holding something with the mouth. Picture the dog saying 'Diāo, look at my bone!' to remember the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 叼 in overly formal contexts, as it carries a more casual or playful connotation. Common collocations include '叼着烟' (holding a cigarette) and '叼着骨头' (holding a bone). Ensure correct tone pronunciation to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 叼 connects well with other verbs related to holding or carrying, such as 拿 (ná) and 持 (chí). Students should focus on the context in which this word is used, especially in informal settings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of holding something in the mouth can often be seen in traditional settings, such as smoking or carrying tools, reflecting a more relaxed attitude towards multitasking.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 叼 with similar sounding verbs like 掉 (diào), which means 'to fall.' A common mistake is saying '我叼掉了球' (I dropped the ball), when the correct phrase would be '我掉了球.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 叼
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Practice writing 叼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 叼
叼 carries 2 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
猫咬住幼崽的后颈把它____了起来.
The cat picked up her kitten by the scruff of its neck.
Example Sentences for 叼 (3)
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1
猫咬住幼崽的后颈把它叼了起来.
māo yǎo zhù yòu zǎi de hòu jǐng bǎ tā diāo le qǐ lái.
The cat picked up her kitten by the scruff of its neck.
2
海鸥嘴里叼着鱼。
hǎi ōu zuǐ lǐ diāo zháo yú。
The gull held the fish in its beak.
3
那只狗蹦跳着叼回了木棍，交给理查德让他再扔出去。
nà zhī gǒu bèng tiào zháo diāo huí le mù gùn， ， jiāo gěi lǐ chá dé ràng tā zài rēng chū。
The dog came bounding back with the stick for Richard to throw again.
Cultural Notes for 叼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of holding something in the mouth can often be seen in traditional settings, such as smoking or carrying tools, reflecting a more relaxed attitude towards multitasking.
Word Family of 叼
Words Containing This Character1
叼diāoto hold with one's mouth (as a smoker with a cigarette or a dog with a bone)
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 叼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 叼
No, 叼 is typically used in informal contexts and may not be appropriate for formal writing.
Not inherently, but it can imply a playful or casual tone, so context matters.
Yes, words like 拿 (ná) or 持 (chí) also relate to holding, but they are more formal.
