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March 24, 2026
踢tī(ti1)
The character 踢 (tī) means 'to kick' and is commonly used in the context of playing sports, especially soccer. It can also refer to the action of kicking something in a broader sense, such as kicking a ball or other objects. In casual conversations, it is often associated with physical activities.
Strokes15Radical足Frequency#1262DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Soccer (足球, zúqiú) is a hugely popular sport in China, and the term 踢 is frequently used in discussions about games, tournaments, and even casual street play. Understanding this term connects learners to contemporary Chinese youth culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person kicking a ball with their foot, creating a 'T' shape with their leg extended. The action of kicking makes a sound that resembles 'tī' in Mandarin, helping you remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 踢
tī(ti1)
1to kick
2to play (e.g. soccer)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 踢
踢Simplified
15Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1262Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 踢
Podcast: 踢
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AI Study Notes for 踢
Quick Contrast
踢 (tī, to kick) vs 打 (dǎ, to hit) — use 踢 when referring specifically to kicking with the foot, while 打 is for hitting with the hand or another object.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person kicking a ball with their foot, creating a 'T' shape with their leg extended. The action of kicking makes a sound that resembles 'tī' in Mandarin, helping you remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 踢 with similar-sounding words. It is used in informal contexts, particularly with sports, but can also be used more broadly. Common collocations include 踢足球 (tī zúqiú, to play soccer) and 踢腿 (tī tuǐ, to kick someone's leg).
HSK Study Tips
Since 踢 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary list, students should focus on its usage in everyday sports conversations. Try to practice using it in sentences related to physical activities to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
Soccer (足球, zúqiú) is a hugely popular sport in China, and the term 踢 is frequently used in discussions about games, tournaments, and even casual street play. Understanding this term connects learners to contemporary Chinese youth culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 踢 with other similar verbs like 打 (dǎ), which means 'to hit'. For example, saying 踢球 (to hit the ball) is incorrect; it should be 踢球 (to kick the ball). Always remember that 踢 specifically refers to kicking actions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 踢
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Grammar Patterns of 踢
踢 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.
Keegan made 68 appearances in two seasons for Southampton, scoring 37 times.
6
骑手想松开那匹马时，它乱踢乱蹬。
qí shǒu xiǎng sōng kāi nà pǐ mǎ shí， ， tā luàn tī luàn。
As its rider tried to free it, the horse kicked out.
7
我去踢球却踢了个空。
wǒ qù tī qiú què tī le gè kōng。
I went to kick the ball and I completely missed it.
8
埃里克·坎通纳抓住机会踢进绝妙的一球，锁定了比赛的胜局。
āi lǐ kè· · kǎn tōng nà zhuā zhù jī huì tī jìn jué miào de yī， qiú ， suǒ dìng le bǐ sài de。
Eric Cantona made the game safe with a brilliant opportunist goal.
9
我一直都想试试踢足球。
wǒ yī zhí dū xiǎng shì shì tī zú qiú。
I always wanted to have a go at football.
10
红人队选择了弃踢，达拉斯队随即跑出79码从而锁定胜局。
hóng rén duì xuǎn zé le qì tī， ， dá lā sī duì suí jí pǎo79 chū 79 mǎ cóng ér suǒ dìng。
The Redskins punted. Dallas then marched 79 yards to seal the victory.
Cultural Notes for 踢
🏮Cultural insight
Soccer (足球, zúqiú) is a hugely popular sport in China, and the term 踢 is frequently used in discussions about games, tournaments, and even casual street play. Understanding this term connects learners to contemporary Chinese youth culture.
Word Family of 踢
Words Containing This Character4
踢tīto kick
踢踏舞tap dance
拳打脚踢lit. to punch and kick (idiom); to beat up拳打腳踢
踢脚板baseboard踢腳板
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 踢 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 踢
While 踢 is primarily used for soccer, you can use it in general contexts for any kicking action, like 踢拳 (tī quán, to kick in martial arts) or 踢球 (tī qiú, to kick a ball).
It is mostly informal and best used in casual conversations or when discussing sports. In formal contexts, it's better to describe the action more specifically.
Yes, you might use other verbs like 打 (dǎ, to hit) depending on the context, but 踢 is specific for kicking actions.
