HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 足, rank #6015, Very Hard
跨
kuà
to stride over
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 足, rank #6015, Very Hard
跨
kuà
to straddle
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 足, rank #6015, Very Hard
跨
kuà
to span
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 足, rank #6015, Very Hard
跨
kuà
to straddle, to ride; to span, to stretch across
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 足, rank #6015, Very Hard
kuà(kua4) T4
1to step across
2to stride over
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March 24, 2026
跨kuà(kua4)
The character 跨 (kuà) means to step across or to stride over something. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical movement across boundaries or abstractly, such as spanning different fields or subjects. This word conveys a sense of crossing from one side to another, often with a connotation of confidence or boldness.
Strokes13Radical足Frequency#6015DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of crossing boundaries is significant in Chinese culture, often reflected in literature and philosophy, where it symbolizes overcoming challenges and embracing new possibilities. 跨 is frequently used in discussions about globalization, reflecting China's expanding influence across various fields.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, bold figure striding across a wide river. The left side of the character 跨 resembles a foot stepping over the river, while the right side symbolizes the riverbank. Visualizing this crossing helps remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'kuà'.
Meanings of 跨
kuà(kua4)
1to step across
2to stride over
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 跨
跨Simplified
13Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6015Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 跨
Podcast: 跨
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AI Study Notes for 跨
Quick Contrast
跨 (kuà) vs 越 (yuè) — use 跨 when emphasizing the act of stepping across physically, while 越 focuses more on surpassing or transcending a boundary.
Usage Notes
When using 跨, be careful to maintain the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but you should be cautious about its usage in poetic or literary expressions. Common collocations include 跨越 (kuàyuè, to leap over) and 跨国 (kuàguó, multinational).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 跨 is often related to more complex ideas of movement and transition. Students should focus on differentiating it from similar verbs, such as 越 (yuè), which also means to cross but with a slightly different nuance. Understanding its usage in compound words will enhance vocabulary retention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 跨 with related verbs like 越. For instance, saying 跨越 instead of 越过 (yuèguò, to pass over) can lead to incorrect interpretations. Make sure to use 跨 specifically for contexts involving striding or spanning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跨
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2The sound half夸 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfoot
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 跨? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 跨?
Decomposition of 跨
IDS Structure⿰足夸
跨Full Character
=
足ju4
left
夸kua1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 跨?
How to say to step across in Chinese
“to step across” in Chinese is跨kuà
The character 跨 (kuà) means to step across or to stride over something. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical movement across boundaries or abstractly, such as spanning different fields or subjects. This word conveys a sense of crossing from one side to another, often with a connotation of confidence or boldness.
When to use 跨
When using 跨, be careful to maintain the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but you should be cautious about its usage in poetic or literary expressions. Common collocations include 跨越 (kuàyuè, to leap over) and 跨国 (kuàguó, multinational).
跨 or something close to it
跨 (kuà) vs 越 (yuè) — use 跨 when emphasizing the act of stepping across physically, while 越 focuses more on surpassing or transcending a boundary.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 跨 with related verbs like 越. For instance, saying 跨越 instead of 越过 (yuèguò, to pass over) can lead to incorrect interpretations. Make sure to use 跨 specifically for contexts involving striding or spanning.
Write 跨
跨
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Practice writing 跨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 跨
跨 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
铁轨____过这条河直达矿井口。
Across the river the railway track ran up to the pithead.
