泡
Character learning workspace

pāo / pào · bubble, blister

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

HSK 3.0 · Level 6Frequency #2258
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 泡

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

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

pāo

puffed; swollen; spongy; small lake (esp. in place names)

泡子pāo zi · small lake
pào

bubble; foam; blister; to soak

灯泡dēng pào · light bulb
Step-by-step explorer

See how 泡 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

8Total strokes

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

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

氵Key radical

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

Print and practise

Download a 泡 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 泡

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

pàobubble; foam; blister; to soak
pāopuffed; swollen; spongy; small lake (esp. in place names)
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 泡 sits in each complete thought.

Yàoshi nà dēng pào bú zhào wǒ de yǎn jiù hǎo le.要是那灯泡不照我的眼就好了。

If only that lamp weren't shining in my eye.

Source: Tatoeba #5574718 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ xǐ huān qǐ pào de 、 shuǐ guǒ wèi de jiǔ.我喜歡起泡的、水果味的酒。

I like bubbly and fruity wine.

Source: Tatoeba #5549791 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ de jiǎo qǐ shuǐ pào le.我的腳起水泡了。

I've got blisters on my feet.

Source: Tatoeba #795999 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Hǎo xiàng wǒ chéng diàn dēng pào le. wǒ gāi zǒu le.好像我成电灯泡了。我该走了。

Seems like I'm just playing gooseberry here. I should go.

Source: Tatoeba #432958 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Sān gè dēng pào shāo huài le.三个灯泡烧坏了。

Three bulbs have burned out.

Source: Tatoeba #8655350 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā men dōu shì wèi le pào niū cái lái de.他们都是为了泡妞才来的。

All of them are just here to pick up girls.

Source: Tatoeba #850909 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 泡 in context

  1. Say pāo / pào, then recall the core meaning: bubble, blister.
  2. Write all 8 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 灯泡 (dēng pào), meaning “light bulb”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 泡 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.