台
Character learning workspace

tāi / tái · platform

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 4HSK 3.0 · Level 4Frequency #696
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 台

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

Interactive stroke trainerWatch and inspect
Checking daily allowance…Please waitGo unlimited
Loading strokes…
0 strokes
Choose Watch order or Practice writing
Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

台 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

tāi

used in place names

tái

desk; table; counter; platform

窗台chuāng tái · windowsill
Step-by-step explorer

See how 台 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

Loading stroke diagrams…

Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

5Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

口Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 台 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

Preparing worksheet…
Customize

Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 台

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

táidesk; table; counter; platform
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 台 sits in each complete thought.

Tā ràng wǒ zài wǔ tái shàng chàng gē.他讓我在舞台上唱歌。

He made me sing on the stage.

Source: Tatoeba #801957 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zuò mèng yě méi xiǎng dào nà ér huì yǒu tái fēng.我做梦也没想到那儿会有台风。

I never dreamed that there would be a typhoon.

Source: Tatoeba #1944810 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè tái diàn nǎo shì bu shì nǐ de?这台电脑是不是你的?

This computer is yours, isn't it?

Source: Tatoeba #397443 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà shì wǒ de tái cí!那是我的台词!

That's MY line!

Source: Tatoeba #395685 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ shì bu shì yǒu liǎng tái diàn nǎo?你是不是有两台电脑?

Don't you have two computers?

Source: Tatoeba #397440 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ yǒu qián de huà, wǒ jiù mǎi zhè tái diàn nǎo.我有钱的话,我就买这台电脑。

If I had money, I'd buy this computer.

Source: Tatoeba #683602 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 台 in context

  1. Say tāi / tái, then recall the core meaning: platform.
  2. Write all 5 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 窗台 (chuāng tái), meaning “windowsill”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 台 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.