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勺 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
勺sháospoonHSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháoladleHSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháospoon, ladle; unit of volumeHSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháoabbr. for 公勺[gōng sháo], centiliter (unit of volume)HSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháoabbr. for 公勺[gong1 shao2], centiliter (unit of volume)HSK 6, unknown, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
sháo(shao2) T2
  1. 1spoon
  2. 2ladle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

勺sháo(shao2)

The character 勺 (sháo) refers to a spoon or ladle, commonly used for serving food or liquids. It can also denote a unit of volume, specifically a centiliter, in certain contexts. This term is frequently encountered in cooking, dining, and measurements.

Strokes3Radical勹Frequency#11897DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese dining culture, the use of a 勺 is crucial, especially during communal meals where dishes are shared. Knowing how to use a ladle or spoon properly reflects good manners and hospitality.

Memory Tip

Imagine a spoon (勺) that looks like a tiny shovel, scooping up delicious food. The character's left side (刀) resembles a knife, hinting at its use in food preparation, while the right side (勺) resembles a spoon's shape. Remember 'sháo' as the sound of a spoon stirring soup.

Meanings of 勺

sháo(shao2)
1spoon
2ladle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 勺

勺Simplified
3Strokes
勹Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#11897Frequency Rank
把Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 勺

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Podcast: 勺

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AI Study Notes for 勺

Quick Contrast

匙 (chí) refers specifically to a spoon, often used for eating, while 勺 (sháo) can refer more broadly to a spoon or ladle used for serving.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a spoon (勺) that looks like a tiny shovel, scooping up delicious food. The character's left side (刀) resembles a knife, hinting at its use in food preparation, while the right side (勺) resembles a spoon's shape. Remember 'sháo' as the sound of a spoon stirring soup.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 勺 in different contexts; it can refer to both physical spoons and the volume measurement. In informal settings, you might hear people use 勺 to casually refer to serving utensils, while in formal settings, it’s essential to specify whether you mean a utensil or a measurement. Avoid confusing it with other similar characters like 叉 (chā), which means 'fork.'

HSK Study Tips

Although 勺 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, learners can relate it to other food-related terms and measurements they encounter in HSK levels 1-3. Focus on pronunciation and usage in context to solidify understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese dining culture, the use of a 勺 is crucial, especially during communal meals where dishes are shared. Knowing how to use a ladle or spoon properly reflects good manners and hospitality.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 勺 with similar-looking characters. For instance, saying '我需要一个叉' (wǒ xūyào yīgè chā - I need a fork) when they meant to say '勺' can lead to misunderstandings. Always double-check the character you intend to use.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 勺

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Etymology of 勺

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a ladle.

Memory Hint

A spoon 勹 with something in it 丶

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 勺?

Decomposition of 勺

IDS Structure⿹勹丶
勺Full Character
=
勹bao1
enclosing
丶—
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 勺?

Write 勺

勺

Practice writing 勺 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 勺

勺 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

往面粉里加3大____水揉成面团。

Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste.

Common Confusions with 勺

勺vs刀
dāo

Both are kitchen utensils but serve different purposes.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "spoon"?

or

Example Sentences for 勺 (28)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
往面粉里加3大勺水揉成面团。

wǎng miàn fěn lǐ jiā3 3 dà sháo shuǐ róu chéng miàn。

Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste.
2
她多给他加了一勺浓缩奶油。

tā duō gěi tā jiā le yī sháo nóng suō nǎi yóu。

She gave him an extra scoop of clotted cream.
3
她拿勺捞起鸡骨头放回了炖锅里。

tā ná sháo lāo qǐ jī gǔ tóu fàng huí le dùn guō lǐ。

She scooped the chicken bones back into the stewpot.
4
他用大勺分汤.

tā yòng dà sháo fēn tāng.

He ladled out the soup.
5
她乌黑的头发中有条笔直的白色分缝，仿佛将她的后脑勺一分为二。

tā wū hēi de tóu fā zhōng yǒu tiáo bǐ zhí de bái sè fēn féng， ， fǎng fó jiāng tā de hòu nǎo sháo yī fēn wéi。

The straight white part in her ebony hair seemed to divide the back of her head in half.
6
他用勺子把冰激凌舀进杯子，喂给她吃。

tā yòng sháo zǐ bǎ bīng jī líng yǎo jìn bēi zǐ， ， wèi gěi tā。

He spooned the ice cream into a cup and fed it to her.
7
用汤勺的背面把混合料抹平。

yòng tāng sháo de bèi miàn bǎ hùn hé liào mǒ píng。

Smooth the mixture with the back of a soup spoon.
8
加一满勺盐。

jiā yī mǎn sháo yán。

Add one heaped tablespoon of salt.
9
她端着勺子深深闻了一下,便迅速喝起来.

tā duān zháo sháo zǐ shēn shēn wén le yī xià, , biàn xùn sù hē qǐ.

She tilted the dipper , drew a deep breath and drank swiftly.
10
接着,她又一次闻了闻,把勺子端到了嘴边.

jiē zháo, , tā yòu yī cì wén le, wén , bǎ sháo zǐ duān dào le.

She drew another breath and raised it again.
11
请用勺把蜂蜜搅入茶中，增加甜味。

Qǐng yòng sháo bǎ fēngmì jiǎo rù chá zhōng, zēngjiā tiánwèi.

Please use a spoon to stir honey into the tea to add sweetness.
12
他用勺子轻轻舀起一勺汤，细细品尝。

Tā yòng sháozi qīngqīng yǎo qǐ yī sháo tāng, xìxì pǐncháng.

He gently scooped up a spoonful of soup with a spoon and savored it carefully.
13
请用勺子把米饭盛到碗里。

Qǐng yòng sháozi bǎ mǐfàn chéng dào wǎn lǐ.

Please use the spoon to serve the rice into the bowl.
14
她用勺子轻轻搅拌咖啡。

Tā yòng sháozi qīngqīng jiǎobàn kāfēi.

She gently stirred the coffee with a spoon.
15
他用勺子把汤里的蔬菜捞出来。

Tā yòng sháozi bǎ tāng lǐ de shūcài lāo chūlái.

He used a spoon to scoop out the vegetables from the soup.
16
孩子用勺子吃冰淇淋，一脸开心。

Háizi yòng sháozi chī bīngqílín, yī liǎn kāixīn.

The child ate ice cream with a spoon, looking very happy.
17
请用勺把蜂蜜搅入茶中，增加甜味。

Qǐng yòng sháo bǎ fēngmì jiǎo rù chá zhōng, zēngjiā tiánwèi.

Please use a spoon to stir honey into the tea to add sweetness.
18
他用勺子轻轻舀起一勺汤，细细品尝。

Tā yòng sháozi qīngqīng yǎo qǐ yī sháo tāng, xìxì pǐncháng.

He gently scooped up a spoonful of soup with a spoon and savored it carefully.
19
请用勺子把米饭盛到碗里。

Qǐng yòng sháozi bǎ mǐfàn chéng dào wǎn lǐ.

Please use the spoon to serve the rice into the bowl.
20
她用勺子轻轻搅拌咖啡。

Tā yòng sháozi qīngqīng jiǎobàn kāfēi.

She gently stirred the coffee with a spoon.
21
他用勺子把汤里的蔬菜捞出来。

Tā yòng sháozi bǎ tāng lǐ de shūcài lāo chūlái.

He used a spoon to scoop out the vegetables from the soup.
22
孩子用勺子吃冰淇淋，一脸开心。

Háizi yòng sháozi chī bīngqílín, yī liǎn kāixīn.

The child ate ice cream with a spoon, looking very happy.
23
请用勺把蜂蜜搅入茶中，增加甜味。

Qǐng yòng sháo bǎ fēngmì jiǎo rù chá zhōng, zēngjiā tiánwèi.

Please use a spoon to stir honey into the tea to add sweetness.
24
他用勺子轻轻舀起一勺汤，细细品尝。

Tā yòng sháozi qīngqīng yǎo qǐ yī sháo tāng, xìxì pǐncháng.

He gently scooped up a spoonful of soup with a spoon and savored it carefully.
25
请用勺子把米饭盛到碗里。

Qǐng yòng sháozi bǎ mǐfàn chéng dào wǎn lǐ.

Please use the spoon to serve the rice into the bowl.
26
她用勺子轻轻搅拌咖啡。

Tā yòng sháozi qīngqīng jiǎobàn kāfēi.

She gently stirred the coffee with a spoon.
27
他用勺子把汤里的蔬菜捞出来。

Tā yòng sháozi bǎ tāng lǐ de shūcài lāo chūlái.

He used a spoon to scoop out the vegetables from the soup.
28
孩子用勺子吃冰淇淋，一脸开心。

Háizi yòng sháozi chī bīngqílín, yī liǎn kāixīn.

The child ate ice cream with a spoon, looking very happy.

Cultural Notes for 勺

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese dining culture, the use of a 勺 is crucial, especially during communal meals where dishes are shared. Knowing how to use a ladle or spoon properly reflects good manners and hospitality.

Word Family of 勺

Compounds34
的de5of
约yao1to weigh in a balance or on a scale
钓diao4to fish with a hook and bait
豹bao4leopard, panther; surname
灼zhuo2to burn, to cauterize; bright
酌zhuo2to pour wine
杓biao1wooden cup, ladle, or spoon
約yue1treaty, covenant, agreement
犳
圴
妁Shuo4matchmaker, go-between
尥liao4to give a backward kick (e.g. of a horse)
彴
汋
玓di4pearl
礿
芍Que4peony; water chestnuts
蔾
趵bao4the noise of tramping feet
靮
仢
宐
尦
扚
旳
瓝
畃
肑
菞
虳
訋
釣diao4fishhook; to fish, to lure
馰
魡
Words Containing This Character9
勺sháospoon
勺子sháoziscoop
后脑勺back of the head後腦勺
汤勺soup ladle湯勺
掌勺chef
炒勺ladle
脑勺back of the head腦勺
马勺wooden ladle馬勺
公勺serving spoon
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 的 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 勺

勺 (sháo) and 匙 (chí) both refer to types of spoons, but they can have different usages. 勺 is typically used for larger spoons or ladles, while 匙 is more commonly associated with smaller spoons, like those used for tea. Understanding these nuances can help in choosing the right term based on context.

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