踩

跴
cǎi
采 + 𧾷
HSK 2.0Level 5
HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

cǎi (verb) to step on; to tread; to stamp
cǎi (verb) to press a pedal; to pedal (a bike)
cǎi (verb) to downvote

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 采 represents the sound. Simplified form of 跴.

Semantic: 足 Phonetic: 采

About

踩 is a phono-semantic compound and the simplified form of 跴. The left component 足 (foot) indicates the action involves the feet or lower limbs, while the right component 采 (originally meaning 'to pick' or 'gather') serves purely as a phonetic marker, giving the character its pronunciation. Its core meaning is to step or tread upon a surface, applying weight with the sole of the foot. This covers a wide range of actions, from lightly placing a foot on the ground or a pedal to more forceful stomping or trampling.

Example Sentences Hide

小心别踩到水坑。

Xiǎoxīn bié cǎi dào shuǐkēng.

Be careful not to step into the puddle.

他踩到了我的鞋子。

Tā cǎi dào le wǒ de xiézi.

He stepped on my shoe.

我昨天踩死了一只虫子。

Wǒ zuótiān cǎi sǐ le yī zhī chóngzi.

I stepped on and killed a bug yesterday.

孩子们在草地上踩来踩去。

Háizimen zài cǎodì shàng cǎi lái cǎi qù.

The children are stepping back and forth on the grass.

踩油门加速超过前车。

Cǎi yóumén jiāsù chāoguò qián chē.

Step on the gas pedal to accelerate and overtake the car ahead.

踩在松软的沙滩上感觉很好。

Cǎi zài sōngruǎn de shātān shàng gǎnjué hěn hǎo.

Stepping on the soft sandy beach feels great.

如果你踩到钉子，可能会受伤。

Rúguǒ nǐ cǎi dào dīngzi, kěnéng huì shòushāng.

If you step on a nail, you might get hurt.

在黑暗中被踩了一脚，他疼得大叫起来。

Zài hēi'àn zhōng bèi cǎi le yī jiǎo, tā téng de dà jiào qǐlái.

He was stepped on in the dark and cried out in pain.

Related Characters

Component: 采

彩 菜 睬 綵 䌽 倸 埰 寀 採

Component: 𧾷

路 跟 跑 跳 距 跃 踪 践 跌 踏 跨 跪 踢 躁

Example Words

踩点 踩动 踩水 踩空 踩线 踩踏 踩高跷