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垫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
垫
diàn
pad
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
垫
diàn
cushion
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
垫
diàn
mat
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
垫
diàn
to pad out
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
垫
diàn
to fill a gap
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
垫
diàn
to pay for sb
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
垫
diàn
to advance (money)
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
垫
diàn
cushion, mat, pad; to advance money, to pay for another
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 土, rank #5107, Very Hard
diàn(dian4)dian T4
1pad
2cushion
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March 24, 2026
垫(墊)diàn(dian4)
The character 垫 (diàn) refers to a pad, cushion, or mat that provides support or cushioning. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical support, such as padding for furniture, as well as in financial contexts where one might advance money to cover someone else's expenses.
Strokes9Radical土Frequency#5107DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of padding or cushioning is significant, as it relates to the idea of providing support for the body, both physically and energetically. This reflects the cultural value placed on balance and comfort in life.
Memory tip
Imagine a soft cushion (垫) under your feet, making every step feel lighter. The character has a bottom component (土) suggesting 'earth' or 'ground', giving you a sense of stability and support, while the top part (冂) looks like a roof, symbolizing protection and comfort.
Meanings of 垫
diàn(dian4)
1pad
2cushion
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 垫 means.
About 垫
垫Simplified
墊Traditional
9Strokes
土Radical
状态词zgnv (stat.)Part of Speech
#5107Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 垫
Podcast: 垫
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AI study notes for 垫
Quick Contrast
垫 (diàn) vs 垫子 (diànzi) — choose 垫 for the specific concept of a pad or cushion, while 垫子 refers to the object itself.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 垫 with other similar-sounding words. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but especially in financial discussions. Be careful with the tone; the correct pronunciation is in the fourth tone (diàn) to avoid confusion with similar characters.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 垫 connects to other financial and physical support vocabulary. Focus on using it in compound words and phrases, such as 垫付 (to advance money) or 垫子 (cushion), to build a broader understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 垫 as diān instead of the correct diàn. Additionally, they might incorrectly use it in phrases without the context of support or finance, such as saying '我有垫' (I have a pad) without specifying what kind of pad.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 垫
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How well do you know 垫?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 垫 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.
垫 = 土 + 执. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 垫
IDS Structure⿱执土
垫Full character
=
执zhi2
top
土Tu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 垫?
How to say pad in Chinese
“pad” in Chinese is垫diàn
The character 垫 (diàn) refers to a pad, cushion, or mat that provides support or cushioning. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical support, such as padding for furniture, as well as in financial contexts where one might advance money to cover someone else's expenses.
When to use 垫
Learners often confuse 垫 with other similar-sounding words. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but especially in financial discussions. Be careful with the tone; the correct pronunciation is in the fourth tone (diàn) to avoid confusion with similar characters.
垫 or something close to it
垫 (diàn) vs 垫子 (diànzi) — choose 垫 for the specific concept of a pad or cushion, while 垫子 refers to the object itself.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 垫 as diān instead of the correct diàn. Additionally, they might incorrectly use it in phrases without the context of support or finance, such as saying '我有垫' (I have a pad) without specifying what kind of pad.
Write 垫
垫
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Practice writing 垫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 垫
垫 carries 8 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.
针对他们各人不同的需要挑选柔软、软硬适中或者坚硬的床____。
Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs.
Example sentences for 垫 (10)
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1
针对他们各人不同的需要挑选柔软、软硬适中或者坚硬的床垫。
zhēnduì tāmen gè rén bùtóng de xūyào tiāoxuǎn róuruǎn、 ruǎn yìng kuò zhōng huòzhě jiānyìng de chuáng diàn。
Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs.
