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标 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
标biāothe topmost branches of a treeHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāosurfaceHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāosignHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoto markHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāo(outward) signHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoindicationHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoprizeHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoawardHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāobidHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāomark, sign, symbol; bid, prizeHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāolabelHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoto mark with a symbol, label, lettering etcHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoto bear (a brand name, registration number etc)HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāotargetHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoquotaHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāo(old) the topmost branches of a treeHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāovisible symptomHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
标biāoclassifier for military unitsHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #4910, Very Hard
biāo(biao1) T1
  1. 1the topmost branches of a tree
  2. 2surface
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

标(標)biāo(biao1)

The character 标 (biāo) primarily refers to a mark or sign that indicates something, such as a label or symbol. It is commonly used in contexts like marking a target, signifying a prize or award, or indicating a specific standard or requirement.

Strokes9Radical木Frequency#4910DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of marking or labeling is significant, especially in award ceremonies and official documentation, where clear indicators of achievement are essential.

Memory Tip

Think of 标 (biāo) as a 'billboard' that marks important information. The shape of the character has a 'top' (the radical '木' indicating tree, suggesting height) and a 'foot' (the bottom part), as if it stands tall to display a sign or mark.

Meanings of 标

biāo(biao1)
1the topmost branches of a tree
2surface
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 标

标Simplified
標Traditional
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4910Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5BCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 标

JasonAmy

Podcast: 标

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 标

Quick Contrast

标 (biāo) vs 牌 (pái) — use 标 for marking or indicating something, while 牌 refers specifically to a card or sign, often used for identification or naming.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 标, as it can imply different meanings based on its usage, such as a sign versus a bid. It is generally used in both formal and informal settings but tends to appear more in written communication, especially in official documents.

HSK Study Tips

Although 标 is not directly listed in the HSK, it connects well with HSK Level 4 vocabulary concerning signs and indications (like '标志' - sign). Focus on understanding its applications in contexts like labeling and awards to enhance your comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 标 with similar words like 记 (jì - to remember) or 牌 (pái - card), leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 标 instead of 记 in '记下这个' (jì xià zhège - write this down) is a common error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 标

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Etymology of 标

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 標. Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 票 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)票
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 标

Simplified form of 標. Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 票 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half票 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywood
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 标? 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 标?

Decomposition of 标

IDS Structure⿰木示
标Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
示shi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 标?

How to say the topmost branches of a tree in Chinese

“the topmost branches of a tree” in Chinese is标biāo

The character 标 (biāo) primarily refers to a mark or sign that indicates something, such as a label or symbol. It is commonly used in contexts like marking a target, signifying a prize or award, or indicating a specific standard or requirement.

When to use 标

Be mindful of the context when using 标, as it can imply different meanings based on its usage, such as a sign versus a bid. It is generally used in both formal and informal settings but tends to appear more in written communication, especially in official documents.

标 or something close to it

标 (biāo) vs 牌 (pái) — use 标 for marking or indicating something, while 牌 refers specifically to a card or sign, often used for identification or naming.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 标 with similar words like 记 (jì - to remember) or 牌 (pái - card), leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 标 instead of 记 in '记下这个' (jì xià zhège - write this down) is a common error.

Write 标

标

Practice writing 标 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 标

标 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 18 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

他今天一直在练习，不达____不休息。

He has been practicing all day — he will not rest until he meets the standard.

Common Confusions with 标

标vs表
biǎo

Different meanings but similar pronunciation and some visual elements.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "the topmost branches of a tree"?

or

Example Sentences for 标 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
《每日邮报》的头版标题为“良知的声音”。

《 《 měi rì yóu》 bào 》 de tóu bǎn biāo“ tí wéi “ liáng zhī”。

The Daily Mail has the headline "The Voice of Conscience"
2
要了解这些产品的详细信息，请寄来标明HB/FF字样的明信片。

yào le jiě zhè xiē chǎn pǐn de xiáng xì xìn xī， ， qǐng jì lái biāoHB/FF míng HB/FF zì yàng de míng。

For more details about these products, send a postcard marked HB/FF.
3
我极不赞成你试图达成的目标。

wǒ jí bù zàn chéng nǐ shì tú dá chéng de mù biāo。

I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
4
你将会无法忍受所遭遇的伪善和双重标准。

nǐ jiāng huì wú fǎ rěn shòu suǒ zāo yù de wěi shàn hé shuāng zhòng biāo zhǔn。

You'll have little patience with the hypocrisy and double standards you encounter.
5
正如1892年剧本的副标题所强调的，《凯瑟琳》是一部“爱尔兰戏剧”。

zhèng rú1892 1892 nián jù běn de fù biāo tí suǒ qiáng tiáo，《 de ，《 kǎi》 sè lín 》“ shì yī bù “ ài”。

"Kathleen" was, as its 1892 subtitle asserted, "An Irish Drama".
6
他们最终的目标是为匈牙利建立起市场经济体制。

tā mén zuì zhōng de mù biāo shì wéi xiōng yá lì jiàn lì qǐ shì cháng jīng jì tǐ zhì。

Their ultimate aim was a market economy for Hungary.
7
他们的目标是尽可能提高牛奶产量。

tā mén de mù biāo shì jìn kě néng tí gāo niú nǎi chǎn liáng。

Their aim will be to produce as much milk as possible.
8
本次初步会议的目标是澄清这些问题。

běn cì chū bù huì yì de mù biāo shì chéng qīng zhè xiē wèn tí。

The aim of this initial meeting is to clarify the issues.
9
它是包装盒标明的成分之一。

tā shì bāo zhuāng hé biāo míng de chéng fēn zhī yī。

It is listed among the ingredients on the package.
10
无标志的预约型出租车沿街拉客是非法的。

wú biāo zhì de yù yuē xíng chū zū chē yán jiē lā kè shì fēi fǎ de。

Minicabs are prohibited by law from touting passers-by for business.

Cultural Notes for 标

💡Did you know?

中国古代用来标记土地和财产的符号被称为‘标’，这种习惯反映了重视财产权的文化传统。

Word Family of 标

Words Containing This Character20
目标mùbiāotarget目標
标准biāozhǔnnorm標準
标志biāozhìsign標誌
指标zhǐbiāoquota指標
标biāomark標
标记biāojìsign標記
标签biāoqiānlabel標籤
锦标赛championships錦標賽
商标shāngbiāologo商標
坐标coordinate (geometry)坐標
标题biāotítitle標題
标识sign標識
标本biāoběnspecimen標本
招标zhāobiāoto invite bids招標
标语biāoyǔplacard標語
投标to bid投標
超标chāobiāoexcessive超標
鼠标shǔbiāomouse (computing)鼠標
标准化standardization標準化
达标dábiāoto reach a set standard達標
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 目标 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 标

标 (biāo) generally refers to a mark or sign, while 标签 (biāoqiān) specifically means 'label.' While both can indicate information, 标签 is more commonly used for physical labels on products, whereas 标 can refer to any type of marking or indication.

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