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March 24, 2026
擦cā(ca1)
The character 擦 (cā) primarily means 'to wipe' or 'to erase.' It is commonly used in contexts involving cleaning surfaces or removing marks, such as wiping a table or erasing a whiteboard. The nuance of this word can also extend to actions like polishing, indicating a careful and thorough cleaning process.
Strokes17Radical扌Frequency#1790DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and 擦 is often associated with rituals of cleanliness, such as preparing a space for guests. The act of wiping and cleaning is deeply integrated into hospitality practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person vigorously wiping a table clean with a cloth. The character 擦 resembles a hand (the left side) moving back and forth while the right side suggests the action of cleaning or polishing. Visualize the sound 'cā' as the swishing sound made while wiping.
Meanings of 擦
cā(ca1)
1to wipe
2to erase
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 擦
擦Simplified
17Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1790Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 擦
Podcast: 擦
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AI Study Notes for 擦
Quick Contrast
擦 (cā) vs 拭 (shì) — use 擦 when referring to wiping or erasing, while 拭 is more formal and often implies a gentle wiping.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person vigorously wiping a table clean with a cloth. The character 擦 resembles a hand (the left side) moving back and forth while the right side suggests the action of cleaning or polishing. Visualize the sound 'cā' as the swishing sound made while wiping.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 擦 with other cleaning verbs like 洗 (xǐ, to wash) and 清 (qīng, to clear). While 擦 pertains specifically to wiping or erasing, 洗 involves washing and 清 relates to clearing or making something clean. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of using the correct tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 擦 connects to other verbs related to actions and movement. Students should focus on its application in practical sentences, especially in contexts involving cleaning or art, and practice its usage with similar verbs to distinguish nuances.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and 擦 is often associated with rituals of cleanliness, such as preparing a space for guests. The act of wiping and cleaning is deeply integrated into hospitality practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 擦 in place of other cleaning verbs like 清. For example, saying '我擦我的衣服' (wǒ cā wǒ de yīfú - I wipe my clothes) is incorrect; the correct verb here would be 洗 (xǐ, to wash).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 擦
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Grammar Patterns of 擦
擦 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. It carries 6 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.
tā nà shuāng hēi sè gāo tǒng xuē bèi cā dé guāng jiàn zhào rén。
His high black boots had been shined to a gleaming finish.
Cultural Notes for 擦
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and 擦 is often associated with rituals of cleanliness, such as preparing a space for guests. The act of wiping and cleaning is deeply integrated into hospitality practices.
Word Family of 擦
Words Containing This Character20
擦cāto wipe
摩擦mócāfriction
擦伤to abrade擦傷
擦肩而过brief encounter擦肩而過
擦掉to wipe
擦屁股(lit.) to wipe one’s ass
擦拭to wipe clean
擦洗to swab
擦干to wipe dry擦乾
擦亮to polish
磨擦friction
摩拳擦掌to roll up one's sleeves for battle
擦边球fig. to skirt the line legally or morally擦邊球
摩擦力friction
擦身而过to brush past擦身而過
橡皮擦eraser
擦亮眼睛to be on one's guard
板擦blackboard eraser
擦澡to take a sponge bath
塞擦音affricate (phonetics)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 擦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 擦
Some synonyms for 擦 include 清洁 (qīngjié) which means 'to clean' and 擦拭 (cāshì) meaning 'to wipe.' Each of these words can be used in different contexts related to cleaning or wiping.
Yes, 擦 can be used in various contexts, including cleaning surfaces, erasing marks, or even describing the technique in painting. It's versatile and applicable in both everyday and artistic situations.
擦 (cā) means to wipe or to erase. It can also refer to actions like cleaning or polishing something. In the context of art, it can denote the act of rubbing, such as with a brush stroke.
You can use 擦 (cā) in sentences like '我在擦桌子' which means 'I am wiping the table.' It is commonly used with objects that you clean or erase, so remember to pair it with the appropriate nouns.
Common phrases include 擦桌子 (cā zhuōzi - to wipe the table) and 擦掉 (cā diào - to erase/remove).
Yes, 擦 can refer to erasing marks on digital devices, similar to its physical usage.
While it can be used in formal writing, it is more common in everyday speech; consider context when using it formally.
