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March 24, 2026
抛(拋)pāo(pao1)
The character 抛 (pāo) means 'to throw' or 'to toss.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions of throwing objects, as well as metaphorical uses like abandoning something, such as a responsibility or a relationship. The nuance can imply a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing or discarding.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#2727DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of throwing away something can symbolize letting go of the past, as seen in practices like throwing away old items during spring cleaning for the Lunar New Year.
Memory Tip
Imagine a baseball player (the radical 扌, which indicates an action related to the hand) throwing a ball (抛) with great force. Picture the ball soaring through the air, emphasizing the motion of 'throwing' and the sound 'pāo' as it flies away.
Meanings of 抛
pāo(pao1)
1to throw
2to toss
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 抛
抛Simplified
拋Traditional
7Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2727Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 抛
Podcast: 抛
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AI Study Notes for 抛
Quick Contrast
扔 (rēng) — use 抛 (pāo) when emphasizing a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing, while 扔 (rēng) is more neutral.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 抛 with other similar verbs like 投 (tóu), which means 'to throw' but with a more precise or intentional connotation. 抛 is more informal and can imply a lack of care. Be cautious of tone; the first tone (pāo) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 抛 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with similar action verbs that are essential for Level 2 and 3 learners, like 投 (tóu) and 扔 (rēng). Students should focus on distinguishing between these verbs based on their connotations and contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 抛 when they mean to say 'to throw' in a more intentional manner, which would be better expressed with 投 (tóu). For example, saying 抛篮球 (pāo lánqiú) instead of 投篮球 (tóu lánqiú) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 抛
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 抛?
Decomposition of 抛
IDS Structure⿰扌⿺九力
抛Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
九jiu3
enclosing
力Li4
inner
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 抛?
How to say to throw in Chinese
“to throw” in Chinese is抛pāo
The character 抛 (pāo) means 'to throw' or 'to toss.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions of throwing objects, as well as metaphorical uses like abandoning something, such as a responsibility or a relationship. The nuance can imply a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing or discarding.
When to use 抛
Learners often confuse 抛 with other similar verbs like 投 (tóu), which means 'to throw' but with a more precise or intentional connotation. 抛 is more informal and can imply a lack of care. Be cautious of tone; the first tone (pāo) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
抛 or something close to it
扔 (rēng) — use 抛 (pāo) when emphasizing a sense of carelessness or spontaneity in the act of throwing, while 扔 (rēng) is more neutral.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 抛 when they mean to say 'to throw' in a more intentional manner, which would be better expressed with 投 (tóu). For example, saying 抛篮球 (pāo lánqiú) instead of 投篮球 (tóu lánqiú) can lead to confusion.
Write 抛
抛
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Grammar Patterns of 抛
抛 carries 6 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
新任总裁已经执行了____售方案。
The programme of sell-offs has been implemented by the new chief executive.
