to lean forward, resting one's upper body (on a desktop etc)
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 足, rank #3886, Hard
趴
pā
(Taiwan) percent
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 足, rank #3886, Hard
趴
pā
prone, lying down, leaning over
HSK 7, zg, 9 strokes, radical 足, rank #3886, Hard
pā(pa1) T1
1to lie on one's stomach
2to lean forward, resting one's upper body (on a desktop etc)
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March 24, 2026
趴pā(pa1)
The character 趴 (pā) primarily means to lie on one's stomach or to lean forward, resting the upper body on a surface like a desk. It is commonly used in contexts related to posture and position, often describing a relaxed or informal way of resting. In Taiwan, it can also refer to a percentage, showcasing its versatility in different contexts.
Strokes9Radical足Frequency#3886DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of lying down or resting on a surface can symbolize relaxation and comfort, often seen in casual settings among friends or during leisure time. It is common to see people in parks or homes adopting this posture to enjoy a break.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cat that loves to lie flat on the ground, its body parallel to the floor—this visual aids in connecting the character's form (the radical '走' meaning 'to walk' suggests movement) to the action of lying down. The 'pā' sound can be remembered by picturing the cat 'pouncing' down to rest.
Meanings of 趴
pā(pa1)
1to lie on one's stomach
2to lean forward, resting one's upper body (on a desktop etc)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 趴
趴Simplified
9Strokes
足Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3886Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 趴
Podcast: 趴
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AI Study Notes for 趴
Quick Contrast
趴 (pā) vs 躺 (tǎng) — use 趴 for leaning forward or lying on the stomach, while 躺 specifically means to lie down flat on the back.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cat that loves to lie flat on the ground, its body parallel to the floor—this visual aids in connecting the character's form (the radical '走' meaning 'to walk' suggests movement) to the action of lying down. The 'pā' sound can be remembered by picturing the cat 'pouncing' down to rest.
Usage Notes
When using 趴, be mindful of the context as it can imply a casual setting, making it less suitable for formal situations. Common collocations include '趴下' (to lie down) and '趴在桌子上' (to lean on the table). A common mistake is using it in a formal tone; remember that it’s more informal.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 趴 connects well with other terms related to body positions and actions. Students should focus on differentiating it from similar terms like 躺 (tǎng), which means to lie down in a more relaxed manner, rather than just on the stomach.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of lying down or resting on a surface can symbolize relaxation and comfort, often seen in casual settings among friends or during leisure time. It is common to see people in parks or homes adopting this posture to enjoy a break.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 趴 with similar characters like 躺; for instance, saying '我躺在桌子上' (I lie on the desk) when they mean to describe leaning forward is incorrect. Correct usage would be '我趴在桌子上'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 趴
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Grammar Patterns of 趴
趴 carries 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
莉翻了个身____下，开始晒后背。
Leigh rolled over on her stomach to tan her back.
Example Sentences for 趴 (10)
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1
莉翻了个身趴下，开始晒后背。
lì fān le gè shēn pā xià， ， kāi shǐ shài hòu。
Leigh rolled over on her stomach to tan her back.
2
那孩子趴着。
nà hái zǐ pā zháo。
The child lay face downwards.
3
鲍勃从椅子上滑下来，趴在了地板上。
bào bó cóng yǐ zǐ shàng huá xià lái， ， pā zài le dì bǎn。
Bob slid from his chair and lay prone on the floor.
4
接着他被一把推倒，脸朝下趴在了人行道上。
jiē zháo tā bèi yī bǎ tuī dǎo， ， liǎn zhāo xià pā zài le rén háng dào。
He was then shoved face down on the pavement.
5
罗兰多趴着睡着了，四肢摊开，打着呼噜。
luó lán duō pā zháo shuì zháo le， ， sì zhī tān， kāi ， dǎ zháo。
I nipped round the corner for a quick beer and nearly pegged out on the spot.
9
这些时期，鸟儿会趴在笼底，好像在下蛋或孵蛋。
zhè xiē shí qī， ， niǎo ér huì pā zài lóng， dǐ ， hǎo xiàng zài xià dàn huò。
During these periods the birds will lie on the cage floor as if trying to lay or hatch eggs.
10
他身旁的两个男人直挺挺趴倒在地上。
tā shēn páng de liǎng gè nán rén zhí tǐng tǐng pā dǎo zài dì shàng。
Two men near him threw themselves flat.
Cultural Notes for 趴
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of lying down or resting on a surface can symbolize relaxation and comfort, often seen in casual settings among friends or during leisure time. It is common to see people in parks or homes adopting this posture to enjoy a break.
Word Family of 趴
Words Containing This Character2
趴pā(Taiwan) percent
趴伏to crouch
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 趴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 趴
No, 趴 is typically used in informal situations, so it's better to avoid it in formal writing or speech.
趴 specifically refers to lying on the stomach or leaning forward, while 躺 means to lie down in a more relaxed position, often on the back.
You can say '他趴在桌子上学习' which means 'He is leaning on the desk to study.'.
