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挺拔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
挺拔tǐngbátall and straightHSK 7, v, rank #34251, Hard
tǐngbá(ting3ba2) T3
  1. 1tall and straight
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March 24, 2026
挺拔tǐngbá(ting3ba2)

The term 挺拔 describes something that is tall and straight, often used to refer to trees or people who have a proud and upright posture. It conveys a sense of strength and resilience, typically in a positive context. This word is often used in literature and poetic descriptions.

Frequency#34251DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being tall and upright is often associated with positive traits such as strength, honor, and integrity, reflecting traditional values around respect and leadership.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall tree standing proudly in the middle of a field, its branches reaching straight up to the sky. The character 挺 (ting3) resembles a person standing upright, while 拔 (ba2) suggests pulling or lifting, symbolizing the tree's lofty growth.

Meanings of 挺拔

tǐngbá(ting3ba2)
1tall and straight
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 挺拔

挺拔Simplified
Strokes
Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#34251Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 挺拔

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Podcast: 挺拔

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AI Study Notes for 挺拔

Quick Contrast

挺立 (tǐnglì) - use 挺拔 (tǐngbá) when emphasizing the quality of being tall and straight, while 挺立 (tǐnglì) focuses more on the act of standing upright.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tall tree standing proudly in the middle of a field, its branches reaching straight up to the sky. The character 挺 (ting3) resembles a person standing upright, while 拔 (ba2) suggests pulling or lifting, symbolizing the tree's lofty growth.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 挺拔 in informal situations where simpler adjectives would suffice, such as saying '他挺拔' (he is tall and straight) without context. This word is more suitable for formal descriptions. Be cautious of the tones; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 挺拔 connects with vocabulary related to nature and physical attributes. Students should focus on usage in descriptive contexts, especially in literature, and practice its pronunciation to avoid tone errors.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being tall and upright is often associated with positive traits such as strength, honor, and integrity, reflecting traditional values around respect and leadership.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 挺拔 with similar words like 高 (gāo), which means tall but lacks the connotation of being straight or upright. A wrong usage would be saying '这棵树很高' (this tree is very tall) instead of '这棵树挺拔' (this tree is tall and straight) to convey the same level of strength.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 挺拔

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Component Characters

tǐngto stick out
HSK 39 strokes
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to pull up
HSK 78 strokes
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Write 挺拔

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

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Grammar Patterns of 挺拔

挺拔 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. 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

他房子前长着两棵____的树.

In front of his house are two upstanding trees.

Example Sentences for 挺拔 (2)

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1
他房子前长着两棵挺拔的树.

tā fáng zǐ qián cháng zháo liǎng kē tǐng bá de shù.

In front of his house are two upstanding trees.
2
那儿有一棵挺拔的松树.

nà ér yǒu yī kē tǐng bá de sōng shù.

There is an erect pine.

Cultural Notes for 挺拔

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, being tall and upright is often associated with positive traits such as strength, honor, and integrity, reflecting traditional values around respect and leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions about 挺拔

Yes, it can also describe people who stand tall and confidently, or other upright structures.