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March 24, 2026
塔tǎ(ta3)
The character 塔 (tǎ) refers to structures such as pagodas, towers, and minarets, often characterized by their height and significance in religious or cultural contexts. In modern usage, it can also denote any tall building or spire, frequently seen in urban landscapes. The term encapsulates both architectural style and cultural importance, especially in East Asian and Buddhist traditions.
Strokes12Radical土Frequency#1865DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
塔 is integral to Chinese architecture, often seen in temples and historic sites, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. The pagoda, a specific type of 塔, holds significant spiritual meaning in Buddhism, representing the stupa that houses relics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall tower (塔) reaching up into the sky. The character resembles a tower with a base and multiple levels, and you can remember the 't' sound in 'tower' connects to the 't' in 'tǎ'. Visualize yourself climbing up this tower to get a better view of the world, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 塔
tǎ(ta3)
1pagoda
2tower
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 塔
塔Simplified
12Strokes
土Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#1865Frequency Rank
座Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 塔
Podcast: 塔
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AI Study Notes for 塔
Quick Contrast
塔 (tǎ) vs 楼 (lóu) — use 塔 when referring specifically to towers or pagodas, while 楼 denotes multi-story buildings or floors.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall tower (塔) reaching up into the sky. The character resembles a tower with a base and multiple levels, and you can remember the 't' sound in 'tower' connects to the 't' in 'tǎ'. Visualize yourself climbing up this tower to get a better view of the world, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
When using 塔, be mindful of context; it is more commonly used in formal or literary settings when referring to historical or religious structures. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-looking characters such as 立 (lì, to stand), which conveys a different meaning. Note that the measure word for 塔 is 座 (zuò).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 塔 connects well with other vocabulary related to architecture and places, such as 城堡 (chéngbǎo, castle) and 大厦 (dàshà, mansion). Learners at this level should focus on understanding its usage in complex sentences and recognizing related idiomatic expressions.
Cultural Note
塔 is integral to Chinese architecture, often seen in temples and historic sites, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. The pagoda, a specific type of 塔, holds significant spiritual meaning in Buddhism, representing the stupa that houses relics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 塔 with similar characters like 塔 and 立. For example, saying '我去立 (lì) 塔' instead of '我去塔 (tǎ)' can lead to misunderstandings. Always ensure to use the correct character according to the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 塔
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Grammar Patterns of 塔
塔 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 5
Complete the Sentence
我要把我的外套拿到楼上去。罗伯____，要我把你的也拿上去吗？
I'll take my coat upstairs. Shall I take yours, Roberta?
Example Sentences for 塔 (10)
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1
我要把我的外套拿到楼上去。罗伯塔，要我把你的也拿上去吗？
wǒ yào bǎ wǒ de wài tào ná dào lóu shàng qù。 。 luó bó， tǎ ， yào wǒ bǎ nǐ de yě ná shàng？
I'll take my coat upstairs. Shall I take yours, Roberta?
2
桑塔格一直是那种兼具美貌与智慧的人中龙凤。
sāng tǎ gé yī zhí shì nà zhǒng jiān jù měi mào yǔ zhì huì de rén zhōng lóng fèng。
Sontag has always been that rarity, a glamorous intellectual.
3
我的猫古斯塔夫是我所有的一切——我唯一的伴侣。
wǒ de māo gǔ sī tǎ fū shì wǒ suǒ yǒu de yī qiē—— —— wǒ wéi yī de bàn。
My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had—the only company.
4
他们占用了塔楼的头两层。
tā mén zhān yòng le tǎ lóu de tóu liǎng céng。
They occupied the first two floors of the tower.
5
今天一早，一枚“德尔塔”Ⅱ型火箭在卡纳维拉尔角发射升空。
jīn tiān yī zǎo， ， yī“ méi “ dé”Ⅱ ěr tǎ ”Ⅱ xíng huǒ jiàn zài kǎ nà wéi lā ěr jiǎo fā。
A Delta II rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral early this morning.
6
灯塔的光束在渐浓的暮色中清晰可见。
dēng tǎ de guāng shù zài jiàn nóng de mù sè zhōng qīng xī kě jiàn。
The lighthouse beam was quite distinct in the gathering dusk.
7
卫生官员成功地将疫情控制在塔巴廷加地区。
wèi shēng guān yuán chéng gōng dì jiāng yì qíng kòng zhì zài tǎ bā tíng jiā dì qū。
Health officials have successfully confined the epidemic to the Tabatinga area.
8
肯塔基州北部可能有雨夹雪。
kěn tǎ jī zhōu běi bù kě néng yǒu yǔ jiā xuě。
Northern Kentucky is likely to get snow mixed with sleet.
9
你知道通向塔尔萨的公路吗？去机场的路和它交会。
nǐ zhī dào tōng xiàng tǎ ěr sà de gōng lù ma？ ？ qù jī cháng de lù hé tā jiāo。
Do you know the highway to Tulsa? The airport road joins it.
10
塔姆辛从她身旁冒了出来，且备好了笔记本。
tǎ mǔ xīn cóng tā shēn páng mào le chū lái， ， qiě bèi hǎo le bǐ jì。
Tamsin materialized at her side, notebook at the ready.
Cultural Notes for 塔
🏮Cultural insight
塔 is integral to Chinese architecture, often seen in temples and historic sites, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. The pagoda, a specific type of 塔, holds significant spiritual meaning in Buddhism, representing the stupa that houses relics.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, towers may primarily serve functional or aesthetic purposes, while in Chinese culture, structures like pagodas have deep spiritual and historical significance, often serving as places of worship or meditation.
