踢 (tī) — to kick; to play (a ball game, esp. soccer)

Definition

A general verb for kicking (with the foot) or playing ball games like soccer. 踹 is stronger and more violent — stomping or kicking someone in anger.

verb
to kickto play (a ball game, esp. soccer)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 踢。
    Tā xǐ huan tī zú qiú.
    He likes to play soccer.
  • 踢。
    Wǒ tī le yí xià qiú.
    I kicked the ball once.
  • 踢！
    Bié tī wǒ!
    Don't kick me!

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
易
易yì踢tī
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

踢 uses 足 (foot) to show the action is done with the foot, and 易 to give the sound.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 2HSK 2.0 Level 2Sports & Athletics2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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