HSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 足, rank #6756, Hard
diē(die1)die T1
1to drop
2to fall
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March 24, 2026
跌diē(die1)
The character 跌 (diē) means to drop, fall, or tumble. It is commonly used to describe physical actions, such as slipping or tripping, as well as metaphorical uses, like falling in status or fortune. This term conveys a sense of suddenness and loss of control during the action.
Strokes12Radical足Frequency#6756DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of falling or stumbling can symbolize misfortune or setbacks, often referenced in idioms that discuss overcoming challenges. For instance, falling down and getting back up is seen as an important life lesson.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (the character's components suggest movement) who loses their balance while walking and takes a tumble. The word 'diē' sounds like 'deer,' and you can visualize a deer suddenly falling when it slips on ice, helping you remember both the pronunciation and the meaning.
Meanings of 跌
diē(die1)
1to drop
2to fall
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About 跌
跌Simplified
12Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6756Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 跌
Podcast: 跌
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AI Study Notes for 跌
Quick Contrast
摔 (shuāi) vs 跌 (diē): use 摔 when emphasizing a fall caused by loss of balance or force, while 跌 implies a more general sense of falling.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 跌 (diē) with other similar-sounding verbs that describe falling, like 摔 (shuāi), which emphasizes a more violent fall. This word is generally informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts. A common collocation is 跌倒 (diē dǎo), which means to fall down.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 跌 (diē) connects with other advanced vocabulary related to movement and action, such as 跑 (pǎo, to run) and 跳 (tiào, to jump). Focus on using it in complex sentences to describe situations involving movement or changes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 跌 with 摔, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我摔倒了' (Wǒ shuāi dǎo le) instead of '我跌倒了' (Wǒ diē dǎo le) when describing a simple fall. Make sure to use 跌 for casual, unexpected falls.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跌
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Knowing 跌 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 跌 (diē) means to drop, fall, or tumble. It is commonly used to describe physical actions, such as slipping or tripping, as well as metaphorical uses, like falling in status or fortune. This term conveys a sense of suddenness and loss of control during the action.
When to use 跌
Be careful not to confuse 跌 (diē) with other similar-sounding verbs that describe falling, like 摔 (shuāi), which emphasizes a more violent fall. This word is generally informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts. A common collocation is 跌倒 (diē dǎo), which means to fall down.
跌 or something close to it
摔 (shuāi) vs 跌 (diē): use 摔 when emphasizing a fall caused by loss of balance or force, while 跌 implies a more general sense of falling.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 跌 with 摔, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我摔倒了' (Wǒ shuāi dǎo le) instead of '我跌倒了' (Wǒ diē dǎo le) when describing a simple fall. Make sure to use 跌 for casual, unexpected falls.
Write 跌
跌
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Grammar Patterns of 跌
跌 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 6 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.
