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March 24, 2026
磕kē(ke1)
The character 磕 (kē) primarily means to tap or knock against something hard. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical contact, such as knocking mud off boots or tapping a surface. The nuance often conveys a sense of repeated or rhythmic striking.
Strokes15Radical石Frequency#6262DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 磕头 (kē tóu), which literally means to knock one's head, is traditionally associated with respect and submission, often performed during important ceremonies or when greeting elders.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person knocking their boots against a stone to get rid of mud. The character 磕 combines the radical for stone (石) with a phonetic component that sounds like 'kē'. Visualize the action of knocking, and let the image of a person repeatedly tapping their boots against a hard surface help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 磕
kē(ke1)
primary
1to tap
2to knock (against sth hard)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 磕
磕Simplified
15Strokes
石Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6262Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 磕
Podcast: 磕
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AI Study Notes for 磕
Quick Contrast
磕 (kē) vs 打 (dǎ) — use 磕 for a softer, more rhythmic knocking, while 打 indicates a stronger, more forceful hit.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person knocking their boots against a stone to get rid of mud. The character 磕 combines the radical for stone (石) with a phonetic component that sounds like 'kē'. Visualize the action of knocking, and let the image of a person repeatedly tapping their boots against a hard surface help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 磕 (kē) with its variant 嗑 (kè), which has a different meaning and pronunciation. This character is generally informal and can be used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 磕头 (to knock one's head, as in bowing) and 磕碰 (to knock into).
HSK Study Tips
HSK Level 6 includes advanced vocabulary, and 磕 is a useful word for discussing actions involving impact or contact. Students should focus on its various usages in different contexts and practice forming sentences that incorporate this verb.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 磕头 (kē tóu), which literally means to knock one's head, is traditionally associated with respect and submission, often performed during important ceremonies or when greeting elders.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 磕 (kē) with 嗑 (kè), leading to incorrect meanings. For example, using 磕 to refer to the act of eating seeds instead of the intended action of knocking. Always check the context to ensure proper usage.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 磕
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Grammar Patterns of 磕
磕 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 4 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
只用表面干净、无____碰的A级鸡蛋。
Use only clean, Grade A, perfect eggs.
Example Sentences for 磕 (10)
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1
只用表面干净、无磕碰的A级鸡蛋。
zhī yòng biǎo miàn gān jìng、 、 wú kē pèngA de A jí。
Use only clean, Grade A, perfect eggs.
2
我磕到了树桩上,胫部擦破了皮.
wǒ kē dào le shù zhuāng shàng, , jìng bù cā pò le.
Mind your head! eg Be careful not to hit it on the low doorway.
5
那条低梁真危险! 老磕我的头.
nà tiáo dī liáng zhēn wēi xiǎn! ! lǎo kē wǒ de.
That low beam is a menace! I keep hitting my head on it.
6
但我没弄懂, 因为磕药之后总是有错觉的.
dàn wǒ méi nòng dǒng, , yīn wéi kē yào zhī hòu zǒng shì yǒu cuò jué.
But I don't get it, because acid trips last for hours.
7
我推了他, 他摔倒了,磕破了膝盖.
wǒ tuī le tā, , tā shuāi dǎo, le , kē pò le.
I shoved him. He fell and scraped his knee.
8
她把米粒从碗里磕了出来.
tā bǎ mǐ lì cóng wǎn lǐ kē le chū lái.
She knocked the grains of rice out of the bowl.
9
他 了一跤,头部磕得很重.
tā le yī, jiāo , tóu bù kē dé.
He fall and get a nasty bang on the head.
10
他把烟灰磕掉,然后继续往下说.
tā bǎ yān huī kē diào, , rán hòu jì xù wǎng xià.
He knocked the ash off his pipe before he went on.
Cultural Notes for 磕
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of 磕头 (kē tóu), which literally means to knock one's head, is traditionally associated with respect and submission, often performed during important ceremonies or when greeting elders.
Word Family of 磕
Words Containing This Character6
磕kēto tap
磕头to kowtow (traditional greeting, esp. to a superior, involving kneeling and pressing one's forehead to the ground)磕頭
磕磕绊绊bumpy (of a road)磕磕絆絆
磕碰to knock against
磕磕(onom.) knocking
磕头如捣蒜lit. to kowtow like grinding garlic (idiom)磕頭如搗蒜
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 磕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 磕
Think of 'kē' as the sound of a knock echoing in a quiet room.
It's generally more informal, so it's better suited for spoken language or casual writing.
You can use it in expressions like 磕碰 (to knock into) or 磕头 (to bow).
