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草案 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
草案cǎo’àndraft (legislation, proposal etc)HSK 7, n, rank #21055, Hard
cǎo’àn(cao3an4) T3
  1. 1draft (legislation, proposal etc)
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March 24, 2026
草案cǎo’àn(cao3an4)

草案 (cǎo'àn) refers to a draft version of legislation or proposals that are subject to discussion and revision before final approval. It is commonly used in legal, political, and business contexts where preliminary versions of documents are created for review.

Frequency#21055DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, the drafting of legislation often involves extensive public consultation and revisions, reflecting a commitment to collective input. Understanding the process surrounding '草案' can provide insights into China's approach to governance and law-making.

Memory Tip

Think of 草 (cǎo) as grass swaying in the wind, representing something in a preliminary state, and 案 (àn) as a flat surface where ideas are laid out. Imagine a grassy field where drafts are spread out for brainstorming, highlighting their unfinished nature.

Meanings of 草案

cǎo’àn(cao3an4)
1draft (legislation, proposal etc)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 草案

草案Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#21055Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 草案

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Podcast: 草案

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AI Study Notes for 草案

Quick Contrast

草稿 (cǎogǎo) refers to a rough draft or preliminary version of any written work, while 草案 (cǎo'àn) specifically pertains to legal or formal proposals.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 草 (cǎo) as grass swaying in the wind, representing something in a preliminary state, and 案 (àn) as a flat surface where ideas are laid out. Imagine a grassy field where drafts are spread out for brainstorming, highlighting their unfinished nature.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; '草案' has a neutral tone and is typically used in formal contexts. Common collocations include '法律草案' (legal draft) and '提案草案' (proposal draft). Avoid informal settings when using this term.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 草案 connects to other advanced terms related to law and governance. Students should focus on context-specific vocabulary and phrases that frequently accompany this term in political and legal discussions.

Cultural Note

In China, the drafting of legislation often involves extensive public consultation and revisions, reflecting a commitment to collective input. Understanding the process surrounding '草案' can provide insights into China's approach to governance and law-making.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 草案 with 计划 (jìhuà), which means plan. A wrong example is saying '我有一个草案' (I have a plan), when it should be '我有一个草案' (I have a draft).' Ensure clarity in context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 草案

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Component Characters

cǎograss, herbs; straw, thatch
HSK 39 strokes
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àn(legal) case
10 strokes
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Write 草案

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

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Grammar Patterns of 草案

草案 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

这种表述比所提决议____中的说法要弱很多。

This is a far weaker formulation than is in the draft resolution which is being proposed.

Example Sentences for 草案 (1)

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1
这种表述比所提决议草案中的说法要弱很多。

zhè zhǒng biǎo shù bǐ suǒ tí jué yì cǎo àn zhōng de shuō fǎ yào ruò hěn duō。

This is a far weaker formulation than is in the draft resolution which is being proposed.

Cultural Notes for 草案

🏮Cultural insight

In China, the drafting of legislation often involves extensive public consultation and revisions, reflecting a commitment to collective input. Understanding the process surrounding '草案' can provide insights into China's approach to governance and law-making.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The concept of a draft in Chinese culture emphasizes collaborative input, while in Western contexts, drafts may be seen as more individualistic and finalized sooner.

Frequently Asked Questions about 草案

You can say, '我们正在讨论新的法律草案' (We are discussing the new legal draft).