HSK 6, zg, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
踩
cǎi
to tread
HSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
踩
cǎi
to press a pedal
HSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
踩
cǎi
to pedal (a bike)
HSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #2334, Hard
cǎi(cai3)cai T3
1to step on; to stamp
2to tread
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March 24, 2026
踩(跴)cǎi(cai3)
The character 踩 (cǎi) means 'to step on' or 'to stamp.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions where one is putting pressure on a surface, such as stepping on an object or pressing down on a pedal. The nuance can imply forcefulness or emphasis in the action.
Strokes15Radical足Frequency#2334DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of stepping on something can symbolize dominance or control, particularly in competitive environments. For example, in sports or games, '踩' can imply outdoing an opponent.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant foot coming down to '踩' (cǎi) on a crunchy leaf, making a satisfying sound. The character has the 'foot' radical (足) which visually connects to the action of stepping, and the '才' component can remind you of 'time'—you only step down when the time is right!
Meanings of 踩
cǎi(cai3)
1to step on; to stamp
2to tread
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 踩 means.
About 踩
踩Simplified
跴Traditional
15Strokes
足Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2334Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 踩
Podcast: 踩
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AI Study Notes for 踩
Quick Contrast
踩 (cǎi) vs 踏 (tà) — use 踩 when emphasizing the action of stepping on something forcefully, while 踏 is more about the act of stepping or treading without the same forceful connotation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 踩 with similar verbs like 踏 (tà), which also means 'to tread' but carries a softer connotation. Use 踩 in informal contexts, while 踏 might be more suitable for formal writing. Pay attention to the third tone in pronunciation to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 踩 connects with other action verbs like 跑 (pǎo, 'to run') and 跳 (tiào, 'to jump'). Focus on using it in compound phrases, such as 踩油门 (cǎi yóumén, 'to press the accelerator') to expand your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 踩 with a second tone, saying 'cái' instead of 'cǎi.' Additionally, they might confuse its meaning with 踏, using 踩 where a gentler term is needed, such as saying '他踩得很轻' (Tā cǎi de hěn qīng) instead of '他踏得很轻' (Tā tà de hěn qīng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 踩
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How Well Do You Know 踩?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 踩 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.
踩 = 足 + 采. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 踩
IDS Structure⿰足采
踩Full Character
=
足ju4
left
采cai3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 踩?
How to say to step on; to stamp in Chinese
“to step on; to stamp” in Chinese is踩cǎi
The character 踩 (cǎi) means 'to step on' or 'to stamp.' It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions where one is putting pressure on a surface, such as stepping on an object or pressing down on a pedal. The nuance can imply forcefulness or emphasis in the action.
When to use 踩
Learners often confuse 踩 with similar verbs like 踏 (tà), which also means 'to tread' but carries a softer connotation. Use 踩 in informal contexts, while 踏 might be more suitable for formal writing. Pay attention to the third tone in pronunciation to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
踩 or something close to it
踩 (cǎi) vs 踏 (tà) — use 踩 when emphasizing the action of stepping on something forcefully, while 踏 is more about the act of stepping or treading without the same forceful connotation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 踩 with a second tone, saying 'cái' instead of 'cǎi.' Additionally, they might confuse its meaning with 踏, using 踩 where a gentler term is needed, such as saying '他踩得很轻' (Tā cǎi de hěn qīng) instead of '他踏得很轻' (Tā tà de hěn qīng).
Write 踩
踩
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Practice writing 踩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 踩
踩 carries 4 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我猛地一____刹车，结果车子打滑了。
I slammed the brakes on and went into a skid.
Common Confusions with 踩
Both characters share similar meanings of stepping or treading, but 踩 is the more standard form.
1
他踩在水洼上。 (He stepped on the puddle.)
Both characters share similar meanings of stepping or treading, but 踩 is the more standard form.
💡Remember 踩 is the standard form, while this variant is less commonly used.
