台

臺

tái

HSK 4

#388 most

frequent character

desk, platform, stage, terrace

noun

Measure Word

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

台 has 厶 yǐ as both meaning and sound part, short for 㠯, 'to take, carry'. The first meaning was an abstract 'to take', like 把 bǎ. 口 is an empty part added as a distinguishing mark. Read tái, 'platform' and 'typhoon' are sound loans; read yí, 'I' and 'what' are also sound loans.

台 as a component in other characters

sound21 characters

治始抬胎怡冶怠苔殆贻诒迨笞饴跆邰

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Example Sentences

我在台上表演。

wǒzài táishàng biǎoyǎn 。

I am performing on the stage.

这个台子很结实。

zhègè táizi hěn jiēshi 。

This platform is very sturdy.

你可以把汽车停在那个台。

nǐ kěyǐ bǎ qìchē tíngzài nàgè tái 。

You can park the car at that stand.

Words with similar meanings

平台píngtái

平台 refers specifically to a flat, raised surface which can be used similarly to 台 in contexts involving staging or supporting.

桌子 is a specific type of 台 typically used for dining or work, emphasizing a more specific form.

Words Starting With 台

台阶tái jiē

flight of steps (leading up to a house); step (over obstacle); bench; fig. way out of an embarrassing situation

台风tái fēng

hurricane; typhoon

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Public Lists with 台

All words for the HSK 4 test

House, Home & Living

Rooms, household items, renting, owning, basic utilities, neighborhoods.

Furniture & Decor

Chairs, tables, sofas, lighting, decorative items, styles of interior design.

City Infrastructure

Buildings, roads, public facilities, urban planning, neighborhoods.