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勺 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
勺sháospoonHSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháoladleHSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháoabbr. for 公勺[gōng sháo], centiliter (unit of volume)HSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháospoon, ladle; unit of volumeHSK 6, q, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
勺sháoabbr. for 公勺[gong1 shao2], centiliter (unit of volume)HSK 6, unknown, 3 strokes, radical 勹, rank #11897, Hard
sháo(shao2) T2
  1. 1spoon
  2. 2ladle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
勺sháo(shao2)

The character 勺 (sháo) refers to a spoon or ladle, commonly used for serving food or liquids. It can also denote a unit of volume, specifically a centiliter, in certain contexts. This term is frequently encountered in cooking, dining, and measurements.

Strokes3Radical勹Frequency#11897DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese dining culture, the use of a 勺 is crucial, especially during communal meals where dishes are shared. Knowing how to use a ladle or spoon properly reflects good manners and hospitality.

Memory Tip

Imagine a spoon (勺) that looks like a tiny shovel, scooping up delicious food. The character's left side (刀) resembles a knife, hinting at its use in food preparation, while the right side (勺) resembles a spoon's shape. Remember 'sháo' as the sound of a spoon stirring soup.

Meanings of 勺

sháo(shao2)
1spoon
2ladle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 勺

勺Simplified
3Strokes
勹Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#11897Frequency Rank
把Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 勺

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Podcast: 勺

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AI Study Notes for 勺

Quick Contrast

匙 (chí) refers specifically to a spoon, often used for eating, while 勺 (sháo) can refer more broadly to a spoon or ladle used for serving.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a spoon (勺) that looks like a tiny shovel, scooping up delicious food. The character's left side (刀) resembles a knife, hinting at its use in food preparation, while the right side (勺) resembles a spoon's shape. Remember 'sháo' as the sound of a spoon stirring soup.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 勺 in different contexts; it can refer to both physical spoons and the volume measurement. In informal settings, you might hear people use 勺 to casually refer to serving utensils, while in formal settings, it’s essential to specify whether you mean a utensil or a measurement. Avoid confusing it with other similar characters like 叉 (chā), which means 'fork.'

HSK Study Tips

Although 勺 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, learners can relate it to other food-related terms and measurements they encounter in HSK levels 1-3. Focus on pronunciation and usage in context to solidify understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese dining culture, the use of a 勺 is crucial, especially during communal meals where dishes are shared. Knowing how to use a ladle or spoon properly reflects good manners and hospitality.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 勺 with similar-looking characters. For instance, saying '我需要一个叉' (wǒ xūyào yīgè chā - I need a fork) when they meant to say '勺' can lead to misunderstandings. Always double-check the character you intend to use.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 勺

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Etymology of 勺

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a ladle.

Memory Hint

A spoon 勹 with something in it 丶

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 勺?

Decomposition of 勺

IDS Structure⿹勹丶
勺Full Character
=
勹bao1
enclosing
丶—
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 勺?

Write 勺

勺

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 勺

勺 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

往面粉里加3大____水揉成面团。

Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste.

Common Confusions with 勺

勺vs刀
dāo

Both are kitchen utensils but serve different purposes.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "spoon"?

or

Example Sentences for 勺 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
往面粉里加3大勺水揉成面团。

wǎng miàn fěn lǐ jiā3 3 dà sháo shuǐ róu chéng miàn。

Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste.
2
她多给他加了一勺浓缩奶油。

tā duō gěi tā jiā le yī sháo nóng suō nǎi yóu。

She gave him an extra scoop of clotted cream.
3
她拿勺捞起鸡骨头放回了炖锅里。

tā ná sháo lāo qǐ jī gǔ tóu fàng huí le dùn guō lǐ。

She scooped the chicken bones back into the stewpot.
4
他用大勺分汤.

tā yòng dà sháo fēn tāng.

He ladled out the soup.
5
她乌黑的头发中有条笔直的白色分缝，仿佛将她的后脑勺一分为二。

tā wū hēi de tóu fā zhōng yǒu tiáo bǐ zhí de bái sè fēn féng， ， fǎng fó jiāng tā de hòu nǎo sháo yī fēn wéi。

The straight white part in her ebony hair seemed to divide the back of her head in half.
6
他用勺子把冰激凌舀进杯子，喂给她吃。

tā yòng sháo zǐ bǎ bīng jī líng yǎo jìn bēi zǐ， ， wèi gěi tā。

He spooned the ice cream into a cup and fed it to her.
7
用汤勺的背面把混合料抹平。

yòng tāng sháo de bèi miàn bǎ hùn hé liào mǒ píng。

Smooth the mixture with the back of a soup spoon.
8
加一满勺盐。

jiā yī mǎn sháo yán。

Add one heaped tablespoon of salt.
9
她端着勺子深深闻了一下,便迅速喝起来.

tā duān zháo sháo zǐ shēn shēn wén le yī xià, , biàn xùn sù hē qǐ.

She tilted the dipper , drew a deep breath and drank swiftly.
10
接着,她又一次闻了闻,把勺子端到了嘴边.

jiē zháo, , tā yòu yī cì wén le, wén , bǎ sháo zǐ duān dào le.

She drew another breath and raised it again.

Cultural Notes for 勺

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese dining culture, the use of a 勺 is crucial, especially during communal meals where dishes are shared. Knowing how to use a ladle or spoon properly reflects good manners and hospitality.

Word Family of 勺

Compounds34
的de5of
约yao1to weigh in a balance or on a scale
钓diao4to fish with a hook and bait
豹bao4leopard, panther; surname
灼zhuo2to burn, to cauterize; bright
酌zhuo2to pour wine
杓biao1wooden cup, ladle, or spoon
約yue1treaty, covenant, agreement
犳
圴
妁Shuo4matchmaker, go-between
尥liao4to give a backward kick (e.g. of a horse)
彴
汋
玓di4pearl
礿
芍Que4peony; water chestnuts
蔾
趵bao4the noise of tramping feet
靮
仢
宐
尦
扚
旳
瓝
畃
肑
菞
虳
訋
釣diao4fishhook; to fish, to lure
馰
魡
Words Containing This Character9
勺sháospoon
勺子sháoziscoop
后脑勺back of the head後腦勺
汤勺soup ladle湯勺
掌勺chef
炒勺ladle
脑勺back of the head腦勺
马勺wooden ladle馬勺
公勺serving spoon
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 的 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 勺

勺 (sháo) and 匙 (chí) both refer to types of spoons, but they can have different usages. 勺 is typically used for larger spoons or ladles, while 匙 is more commonly associated with smaller spoons, like those used for tea. Understanding these nuances can help in choosing the right term based on context.