HSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1490, Hard
拖
tuō
to hang down
HSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1490, Hard
拖
tuō
to mop (the floor)
HSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1490, Hard
拖
tuō
to drag on
HSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #1490, Hard
tuō(tuo1)tuo T1
1to drag, to haul, to tow; to delay
2to trail
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March 24, 2026
拖(拕)tuō(tuo1)
The character 拖 (tuō) primarily means 'to drag' or 'to haul.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is pulled along, such as towing a vehicle or dragging an object. Additionally, it can imply a sense of delay or prolongation in time, making it useful in both physical and abstract scenarios.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#1490DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of dragging can also relate to the idea of procrastination, often seen negatively. Phrases like 拖延 (tuōyán), meaning 'to procrastinate,' are common and reflect societal attitudes toward timeliness and responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong person dragging a heavy object behind them, struggling to pull it along the ground. The character 拖 looks like a person pulling something with a hand (扌) while the lower part (拖) evokes the motion of dragging. This image helps connect the pronunciation 'tuō' with the action of dragging.
Meanings of 拖
tuō(tuo1)
1to drag, to haul, to tow; to delay
2to trail
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About 拖
拖Simplified
拕Traditional
8Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1490Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 拖
Podcast: 拖
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AI Study Notes for 拖
Quick Contrast
拖 (tuō, to drag) vs 拉 (lā, to pull) — use 拖 when emphasizing dragging along a surface or causing delay, while 拉 focuses on pulling with force.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 拖 with other similar-sounding words that imply different actions, such as 脱 (tuō), meaning 'to take off.' It is generally used in informal contexts but can also appear in formal writing when discussing delays or extensions. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 拖 is not in the official HSK levels, it aligns with HSK 3 vocabulary that involves action verbs. Students should focus on its usage in sentences related to movement or time management, as it complements other verbs like 拉 (lā - to pull) and 推 (tuī - to push).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 拖 with 拖延 (tuōyán) and mistakenly use it to mean 'to delay' in all contexts. For example, saying '我拖了我的衣服' (Wǒ tuōle wǒ de yīfú - I dragged my clothes) instead of '我拖延了我的工作' (Wǒ tuōyánle wǒ de gōngzuò - I delayed my work) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拖
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How to say to drag, to haul, to tow; to delay in Chinese
“to drag, to haul, to tow; to delay” in Chinese is拖tuō
The character 拖 (tuō) primarily means 'to drag' or 'to haul.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is pulled along, such as towing a vehicle or dragging an object. Additionally, it can imply a sense of delay or prolongation in time, making it useful in both physical and abstract scenarios.
When to use 拖
Common mistakes include confusing 拖 with other similar-sounding words that imply different actions, such as 脱 (tuō), meaning 'to take off.' It is generally used in informal contexts but can also appear in formal writing when discussing delays or extensions. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.
拖 or something close to it
拖 (tuō, to drag) vs 拉 (lā, to pull) — use 拖 when emphasizing dragging along a surface or causing delay, while 拉 focuses on pulling with force.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 拖 with 拖延 (tuōyán) and mistakenly use it to mean 'to delay' in all contexts. For example, saying '我拖了我的衣服' (Wǒ tuōle wǒ de yīfú - I dragged my clothes) instead of '我拖延了我的工作' (Wǒ tuōyánle wǒ de gōngzuò - I delayed my work) can lead to confusion.
Write 拖
拖
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Practice writing 拖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 拖
拖 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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.
