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踏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
踏
tā
to tread
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tā
to stamp
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tā
to step on
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tā
to press a pedal
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tā
to investigate on the spot
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tā
to trample, to tread on, to walk over
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tà
to tread
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tà
to stamp
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tà
to step on
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tà
to press a pedal
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tà
to investigate on the spot
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
踏
tà
to trample, to tread on, to walk over
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, radical 足, rank #3288, Very Hard
tà(ta4)ta
primary
T4
1to tread
2to stamp
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March 24, 2026
踏tà(ta4)
The character 踏 (tā) primarily means to tread or step on something. It is often used in contexts that involve physical actions such as walking, pressing a pedal, or stamping down. Additionally, it can imply a sense of investigation or thoroughness, as in exploring a situation directly.
Strokes15Radical足Frequency#3288DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the act of treading or stepping on something can symbolize taking action or making a decisive move in life, reflecting the importance of being proactive in both personal and professional contexts.
Memory tip
Imagine a person stepping firmly on a soft ground with their foot, making a clear imprint – this is 踏 (tā). The character combines the foot radical 足 (zú), representing action with the base of the character, suggesting movement or pressure.
Meanings of 踏
tà(ta4)
primary
1to tread
2to stamp
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 踏 means.
About 踏
踏Simplified
15Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3288Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 踏
Podcast: 踏
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AI study notes for 踏
Quick Contrast
踏 (tà) vs 踏上 (tà shàng) — use 踏 for general stepping or treading actions, while 踏上 specifically implies stepping onto something.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 踏 with similar characters like 步 (bù, step) or 跑 (pǎo, run), which have different nuances. 踏 is more direct and often involves pressing down, while the others describe different types of movement. It's used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Though 踏 is not listed in HSK levels, it connects with basic verbs related to movement and action. Students should focus on its application in compound words and phrases, such as 踏实 (tā shí), which conveys a sense of reliability or groundedness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 踏 with 踏实 (tā shí) and use them interchangeably, but 踏 alone does not convey the same sense of reliability. For example, saying '我踏实这件事' (I tread on this matter) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我踏实地做这件事' (I do this matter reliably).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 踏
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 踏 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.
踏 = 足 + 沓. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 踏
IDS Structure⿰足沓
踏Full character
=
足ju4
left
沓da2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 踏?
How to say to tread in Chinese
“to tread” in Chinese is踏tā
The character 踏 (tā) primarily means to tread or step on something. It is often used in contexts that involve physical actions such as walking, pressing a pedal, or stamping down. Additionally, it can imply a sense of investigation or thoroughness, as in exploring a situation directly.
When to use 踏
Common mistakes include confusing 踏 with similar characters like 步 (bù, step) or 跑 (pǎo, run), which have different nuances. 踏 is more direct and often involves pressing down, while the others describe different types of movement. It's used in both formal and informal contexts.
踏 or something close to it
踏 (tà) vs 踏上 (tà shàng) — use 踏 for general stepping or treading actions, while 踏上 specifically implies stepping onto something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 踏 with 踏实 (tā shí) and use them interchangeably, but 踏 alone does not convey the same sense of reliability. For example, saying '我踏实这件事' (I tread on this matter) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我踏实地做这件事' (I do this matter reliably).
Write 踏
踏
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Practice writing 踏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 踏
踏 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.
