HSK 7, ng, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #8542, Hard
槽
cáo
groove
HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #8542, Hard
槽
cáo
channel
HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #8542, Hard
槽
cáo
(Tw) (computing) hard drive
HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #8542, Hard
cáo(cao2) T2
1trough, manger; vat, tank; distillery
2groove
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March 24, 2026
槽cáo(cao2)
槽 (cáo) refers to a trough or a channel, often used in agricultural or industrial contexts. It can describe physical structures like a manger for animals or a vat in a distillery. Additionally, in modern contexts, particularly in Taiwan, it can refer to a hard drive in computing.
Strokes15Radical木Frequency#8542DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese agriculture, troughs were essential for feeding livestock, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in rural life. This practice is still relevant in many parts of China today.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cow (cáo sounds like 'cow') drinking from a long, wooden trough (槽). The shape of the character resembles a long container, emphasizing its meaning of holding something, like water or feed.
Meanings of 槽
cáo(cao2)
1trough, manger; vat, tank; distillery
2groove
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 槽
槽Simplified
15Strokes
木Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 槽
Podcast: 槽
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AI Study Notes for 槽
Quick Contrast
槽 (cáo) vs 井 (jǐng): choose 槽 when referring to a trough or channel, while 井 is specifically for a well.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cow (cáo sounds like 'cow') drinking from a long, wooden trough (槽). The shape of the character resembles a long container, emphasizing its meaning of holding something, like water or feed.
Usage Notes
While '槽' can refer to various types of troughs or channels, it is important to use it in the right context. In informal settings, learners might confuse it with similar words like '槽位' (cáowèi), which specifies a slot or position, so clarity is key.
HSK Study Tips
Although '槽' is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it shares phonetic elements with other HSK words. Students should focus on the character's components: 木 (wood) indicating its material nature, which connects to related HSK vocabulary about objects and nature.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese agriculture, troughs were essential for feeding livestock, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in rural life. This practice is still relevant in many parts of China today.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 槽 with similar characters like 構 (gòu), which means to construct or build. For example, saying '我需要一個構' instead of '我需要一個槽' (I need a trough) would be incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 槽
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Grammar Patterns of 槽
槽 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 4 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.
In traditional Chinese agriculture, troughs were essential for feeding livestock, highlighting the importance of animal husbandry in rural life. This practice is still relevant in many parts of China today.
Word Family of 槽
Words Containing This Character14
槽cáotrough
水槽shuǐcáosink
跳槽tiàocáoto change jobs
插槽slot
凹槽recess
沟槽groove溝槽
槽车tanker (truck)槽車
槽钢steel groove槽鋼
河槽river bed
马槽manger馬槽
键槽key slot鍵槽
槽牙molar tooth
倒槽to die out (of livestock)
槽坊brewery
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 槽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 槽
It primarily refers to a trough or channel for holding liquids or feed.
Yes, in Taiwan, 槽 can refer to a hard drive, showing its versatility in modern language.
