操 (cāo) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 操 (cāo) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 操 (cāo) means "to exercise; to operate". It is an HSK Level 4 character, with 16 strokes and the radical 扌.

Q: How do you write 操 stroke by stroke?

操 has 16 strokes. The radical is 扌. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 操 and 摔?

操 (cāo) and 摔 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 操?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 扌. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 操?

Common words containing 操 include: 操作 (cāo zuò) — to operate; 操心 (cāo xīn) — to worry; to take trouble; 体操 (tǐ cāo) — gymnastics.

How to Write 操

The character 操 (cāo) is written with 16 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 扌 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

操 is pronounced cāo in Mandarin Chinese. It means to exercise; to operate.

As an HSK Level 4 character, 操 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 操

操作 cāo zuò

to operate

操心 cāo xīn

to worry; to take trouble

体操 tǐ cāo

gymnastics

Example Sentences

这个机器好操作。

zhè ge jī qì hǎo cāo zuò

This machine is easy to operate.

别为这事操心。

bié wèi zhè shì cāo xīn

Don't worry about this.

我每天做体操。

wǒ měi tiān zuò tǐ cāo

I do gymnastics every day.

Similar Characters

摔 shuāi

摘 zhāi

摞 luò

Practice Writing 操 (cāo)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 操 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 操

What does 操 (cāo) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 操 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 操 and 摔?

What mistakes do learners make writing 操?

What common words use 操?

How to Write 操 (cāo)