(tái) — to lift, to raise (one's head, hand, etc.); to carry (by two or more people)

Definition

抬 (tái) means to lift or carry, usually with two hands or several people — heavier than 提 (carry in one hand, hanging). Use 抬 for raising one's head or for objects needing two or more carriers.

verb
to liftto raise (one's head, hand, etc.)to carry (by two or more people)

Examples

  • Qǐng bāng wǒ tái yí xià zhè ge xiāng zi.
    Please help me lift this box.
  • Tā tái qǐ tóu kàn lǎo shī.
    He raised his head and looked at the teacher.
  • Liǎng gè rén yì qǐ tái zhè zhāng zhuō zi.
    Two people carry this table together.

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
Written in full asshǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
táitái
Same sound today

In 抬, the 扌 part relates to the hand, and 台 gives the sound.

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