HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dǎi
to seize
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dǎi
(literary) to arrest
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dǎi
to overtake
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dǎi
until
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dǎi
to catch, to seize; to arrive, to reach
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dài
(coll.) to catch
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dài
to seize
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dài
(literary) to arrest
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dài
to overtake
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dài
until
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
逮
dài
to catch, to seize; to arrive, to reach
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 辶, rank #2501, Very Hard
dǎi(dai3)
primary
T3
1(coll.) to catch
2to seize
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
逮dǎi(dai3)
The character 逮 (dǎi) primarily means 'to catch' or 'to seize,' often used in contexts of apprehending someone or something. It can also imply reaching a destination or overtaking someone in a race or pursuit. In literary contexts, it may refer to arresting someone legally or metaphorically capturing an idea.
Strokes11Radical辶Frequency#2501DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'catching' often extends to metaphorical uses, such as catching opportunities or ideas, reflecting the broader cultural emphasis on seizing chances in life and business.
Memory Tip
Imagine a detective (逮) with a net trying to catch a criminal. The character's components suggest movement and capturing, with the '走' (to walk) radical implying pursuit and the '台' (platform) suggesting a stage where the action takes place. This image helps remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 逮
dǎi(dai3)
primary
1(coll.) to catch
2to seize
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 逮
逮Simplified
11Strokes
辶Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2501Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 逮
Podcast: 逮
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AI Study Notes for 逮
Quick Contrast
逮 (dǎi) vs 抓 (zhuā) — use 逮 for contexts involving apprehension or reaching, while 抓 focuses on the act of grabbing or seizing physically.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 逮 with similar-sounding characters like 带 (dài) which means 'to bring' or 'to carry.' Use 逮 in more formal contexts when referring to legal matters or pursuits, while it can be colloquial in everyday conversations about catching or seizing. Be careful with the third tone, as mispronouncing it may lead to confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 逮 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other level-appropriate words related to actions and movement, such as 走 (zǒu, to walk) and 抓 (zhuā, to grab). Focus on recognizing its usage in literature or formal speech to enhance comprehension.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to confuse 逮 with 代 (dài), which means 'to substitute.' An incorrect sentence might be '我代住了他' (I substituted him), whereas it should be '我逮住了他' (I caught him).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 逮
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2The sound half隶 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywalk
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 逮? 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 逮?
Decomposition of 逮
IDS Structure⿺辶隶
逮Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
隶li4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 逮?
How to say to seize in Chinese
“to seize” in Chinese is逮dǎi
The character 逮 (dǎi) primarily means 'to catch' or 'to seize,' often used in contexts of apprehending someone or something. It can also imply reaching a destination or overtaking someone in a race or pursuit. In literary contexts, it may refer to arresting someone legally or metaphorically capturing an idea.
When to use 逮
Learners often confuse 逮 with similar-sounding characters like 带 (dài) which means 'to bring' or 'to carry.' Use 逮 in more formal contexts when referring to legal matters or pursuits, while it can be colloquial in everyday conversations about catching or seizing. Be careful with the third tone, as mispronouncing it may lead to confusion with other characters.
逮 or something close to it
逮 (dǎi) vs 抓 (zhuā) — use 逮 for contexts involving apprehension or reaching, while 抓 focuses on the act of grabbing or seizing physically.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is to confuse 逮 with 代 (dài), which means 'to substitute.' An incorrect sentence might be '我代住了他' (I substituted him), whereas it should be '我逮住了他' (I caught him).
Write 逮
逮
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Practice writing 逮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 逮
逮 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
警察以携带攻击性武器为由____捕了我。
The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
Example Sentences for 逮 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
警察以携带攻击性武器为由逮捕了我。
jǐng chá yǐ xié dài gōng jī xìng wǔ qì wéi yóu dài bǔ le wǒ。
The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
