HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
裁
cái
to cut
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
裁
cái
to trim
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
裁
cái
to reduce
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
裁
cái
to diminish
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
裁
cái
to cut back (e.g. on staff)
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
裁
cái
decision
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
裁
cái
judgment
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #10548, Very Hard
cái(cai2) T2
1to cut out (as a dress)
2to cut
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March 24, 2026
裁cái(cai2)
The character 裁 (cái) primarily means 'to cut' or 'to trim,' often in the context of tailoring or making decisions. It can also refer to the act of reducing something, such as cutting back on resources or staff. In decision-making contexts, it implies making a judgment or a choice.
Strokes12Radical衣Frequency#10548DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 裁 extends beyond simply cutting fabric; it symbolizes the art of tailoring and the importance of appearance in social contexts. Tailoring has a rich history in China, where clothing often signifies social status and personal identity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tailor using scissors to裁 (cái) cut a fabric into a perfect dress. The left part of the character represents clothing (衣), and the right part (裁) looks like scissors, reminding you that裁 is about cutting or shaping something.
Meanings of 裁
cái(cai2)
1to cut out (as a dress)
2to cut
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 裁
裁Simplified
12Strokes
衣Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10548Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 裁
Podcast: 裁
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AI Study Notes for 裁
Quick Contrast
裁 (cái) vs 剪 (jiǎn) — choose 裁 when referring to cutting or trimming in a broader or decision-making context, while 剪 specifically refers to cutting with scissors.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 裁 (cái) with other similar-sounding words that also involve cutting or reducing, such as 削 (xuē), which means to peel. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about fashion or organizational management.
HSK Study Tips
While 裁 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to other words about cutting or decision-making at higher levels. Students should focus on its application in contexts like tailoring or management decisions, which often appear in advanced conversations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 裁 (cái) with 剪 (jiǎn), which specifically means 'to cut with scissors.' An incorrect use could be saying '我想剪衣服' (wǒ xiǎng jiǎn yīfú) instead of '我想裁衣服' (wǒ xiǎng cái yīfú) when referring to tailoring.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 裁
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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 裁? 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 裁?
Decomposition of 裁
IDS Structure⿹⿱十戈衣
裁Full Character
=
十shi2
top
戈Ge1
bottom
衣yi1
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 裁?
How to say to cut out (as a dress) in Chinese
“to cut out (as a dress)” in Chinese is裁cái
The character 裁 (cái) primarily means 'to cut' or 'to trim,' often in the context of tailoring or making decisions. It can also refer to the act of reducing something, such as cutting back on resources or staff. In decision-making contexts, it implies making a judgment or a choice.
When to use 裁
Be careful not to confuse 裁 (cái) with other similar-sounding words that also involve cutting or reducing, such as 削 (xuē), which means to peel. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about fashion or organizational management.
裁 or something close to it
裁 (cái) vs 剪 (jiǎn) — choose 裁 when referring to cutting or trimming in a broader or decision-making context, while 剪 specifically refers to cutting with scissors.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 裁 (cái) with 剪 (jiǎn), which specifically means 'to cut with scissors.' An incorrect use could be saying '我想剪衣服' (wǒ xiǎng jiǎn yīfú) instead of '我想裁衣服' (wǒ xiǎng cái yīfú) when referring to tailoring.
Write 裁
裁
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Practice writing 裁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 裁
裁 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 8 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.
