采
Character learning workspace

cǎi / cài · to collect, to gather

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

HSK 3.0 · Level 7-9Frequency #4885
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 采

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

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

cǎi

to pick; to pluck; to collect

采访cǎi fǎng · to interview
cài

used in 采邑[cai4 yi4] and 采地[cai4 di4]

Step-by-step explorer

See how 采 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.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

釆Key radical

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

Print and practise

Download a 采 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 采

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

cǎito pick; to pluck; to collect
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 采 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ cǎi fǎng le tā.我采访了他。

I interviewed him.

Source: Tatoeba #5085511 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Jiē xià lái gāi cǎi qǔ shén me xíng dòng jiù jiāo gěi nǐ le.接下来该采取什么行动就交给你了。

I leave it in your hands what course of action to take.

Source: Tatoeba #332543 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ rènwéi cǎi yòng tā de jì huà duì wǒ men bǐ jiào hǎo.我认为采用他的计划对我们比较好。

I think it's better for us to adopt his plan.

Source: Tatoeba #784516 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ men néng cǎi fǎng tā ma?我们能采访他吗?

Can we interview him?

Source: Tatoeba #9969966 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ men cǎi qǔ le qiáng yǒu lì de yù fáng cuò shī.我们采取了强有力的预防措施。

We took strong measures to prevent it.

Source: Tatoeba #332769 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā men gēn jù qíng bào cǎi qǔ xíng dòng.他们根据情报采取行动。

They acted on the information.

Source: Tatoeba #8882018 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 采 in context

  1. Say cǎi / cài, then recall the core meaning: to collect, to gather.
  2. Write all 8 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 采访 (cǎi fǎng), meaning “to interview”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 采 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.