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稻草 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
稻草dàocǎorice strawHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #11473, Very Hard
dàocǎo(dao4cao3)dao cao T4
  1. 1rice straw
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March 24, 2026

稻草dàocǎo(dao4cao3)

稻草 (dàocǎo) refers to rice straw, the dried stalks left over after harvesting rice. It is commonly used in agriculture for various purposes, including animal bedding, composting, and as a building material in some regions. The term can also carry connotations of rural life and traditional farming practices in China.

Strokes24Frequency#11473DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In rural China, rice straw plays an important role in traditional farming practices and is often used in crafting decorations during festivals, reflecting the agricultural heritage of the region.

Memory tip

Think of '稻' (dào) as 'rice' and '草' (cǎo) as 'grass' or 'straw.' Imagine a vast field where rice is harvested, and all that's left are golden stalks waving in the breeze, creating a picturesque rural scene. The 'dào' in '稻' sounds like 'dao' in 'daoism,' connecting you to the natural world.

Meanings of 稻草

dàocǎo(dao4cao3)
1rice straw
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About 稻草

稻草Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 稻草

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '稻草' with '草' (cǎo) alone, which means grass or straw in general. '稻草' is specific to rice straw, so using it in contexts unrelated to rice may cause confusion. It's a neutral term, applicable in both formal and informal settings.

HSK Study Tips

While '稻草' is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with HSK level 3 agricultural terms like '米' (mǐ - rice) and '田' (tián - field). Focus on the context of agriculture and daily life to better understand its usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use '稻草' when talking about other types of straw or grass, such as '麦草' (màicǎo - wheat straw). Ensure you use '稻草' specifically for rice straw to avoid confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 稻草

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Component characters

稻dàopaddy
15 strokes禾
View full entry
草cǎograss, herbs; straw, thatch
HSK 39 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say rice straw in Chinese

“rice straw” in Chinese is稻草dàocǎo

稻草 (dàocǎo) refers to rice straw, the dried stalks left over after harvesting rice. It is commonly used in agriculture for various purposes, including animal bedding, composting, and as a building material in some regions. The term can also carry connotations of rural life and traditional farming practices in China.

When to use 稻草

Be careful not to confuse '稻草' with '草' (cǎo) alone, which means grass or straw in general. '稻草' is specific to rice straw, so using it in contexts unrelated to rice may cause confusion. It's a neutral term, applicable in both formal and informal settings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use '稻草' when talking about other types of straw or grass, such as '麦草' (màicǎo - wheat straw). Ensure you use '稻草' specifically for rice straw to avoid confusion.

Write 稻草

稻
草

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Frequently asked questions about 稻草

'稻草' specifically refers to rice straw, while '草' is a more general term for grass or straw.

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