How to Write 擡 (tái) — Meaning “to lift; to raise; to carry”

Imagine a hand (扌) struggling to lift a heavy platform (臺) that has many parts: a roof (冖), a mouth (口), and a base (至). Visualize the hand raising the entire platform upward, which helps you recall both its shape and meaning.

Pay special attention to the right side 臺: it has a 冖 (cover) between the 口 and the 至, which learners often forget. Also, write the left radical 扌 first (three strokes: horizontal, vertical hook, lift), then the right side from top to bottom.

撅 (juē) means to pout or break something, focusing on bending or snapping, while 撑 (chēng) means to support or prop up, like pushing against something. 擡 specifically means to lift or carry an object upward, not to break or support.

擡 appears in formal or traditional writing, such as in the phrase 擡头 (tái tóu, to raise one's head) or 擡举 (tái jǔ, to praise or flatter). In everyday simplified Chinese, the character 抬 is more common, but 擡 is still seen in classical texts and ceremonial contexts.

Common words containing 擡 include: 擡头 (tái tóu) — to raise one's head; 擡手 (tái shǒu) — to raise one's hand; 擡桌子 (tái zhuō zi) — to carry a table.