HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 父, rank #6309, Very Hard
diē(die1) T1
1father, dad, daddy
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March 24, 2026
爹diē(die1)
The character 爹 (diē) means 'father' or 'dad', and it carries a more affectionate or informal tone compared to the more formal term 父 (fù). It is commonly used in family settings or among close friends when referring to one's father, highlighting the bond and warmth in the relationship.
Strokes10Radical父Frequency#6309DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the father figure is traditionally seen as the authority and provider, and terms like 爹 reflect the familial affection and respect. The use of such affectionate terms is common in everyday conversation, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child looking up at their dad (爹) while holding a toy (the two horizontal lines at the top represent the stability of the father figure). The 'father' radical (父) in the character emphasizes that this is someone who plays a central role in the child's life, just like the father does.
Meanings of 爹
diē(die1)
1father, dad, daddy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 爹
爹Simplified
10Strokes
父Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 爹
Podcast: 爹
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AI Study Notes for 爹
Quick Contrast
父 (fù) - use 爹 (diē) for an affectionate or informal tone, while 父 (fù) is more formal.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a child looking up at their dad (爹) while holding a toy (the two horizontal lines at the top represent the stability of the father figure). The 'father' radical (父) in the character emphasizes that this is someone who plays a central role in the child's life, just like the father does.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 爹 in formal contexts, as it can sound too casual. It's often paired with terms of endearment, such as 爹地 (diēdi), which can mean 'daddy'. Remember to use the correct tone to avoid confusion, as 'diē' is pronounced with a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 爹 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for students at the beginner level. Familiarity with this term helps in understanding family dynamics in Chinese culture and builds a foundation for related vocabulary about family.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the father figure is traditionally seen as the authority and provider, and terms like 爹 reflect the familial affection and respect. The use of such affectionate terms is common in everyday conversation, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 爹 with 父 and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我父来' (wǒ fù lái) instead of '我爹来' (wǒ diē lái) when referring to their dad in a casual setting can sound overly stiff.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 爹
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Grammar Patterns of 爹
爹 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
My dad used to come home drunk, shouting and cussing.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
My father is short and square.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 爹
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the father figure is traditionally seen as the authority and provider, and terms like 爹 reflect the familial affection and respect. The use of such affectionate terms is common in everyday conversation, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Word Family of 爹
Words Containing This Character9
爹diēdad
老爹old man
爹地daddy (loanword)
爹爹daddy
爹娘(dialect) parents
干爹adoptive father (traditional adoption, i.e. without legal ramifications)乾爹
阿爹dad
公爹husband's father
姑爹uncle
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 爹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 爹
No, 爹 is considered informal and should be used in casual conversations or among family.
It's best to use the person's name or a more formal title when addressing someone else's father.
父 is a formal term for 'father', while 爹 is more affectionate and informal.
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