Level 2 · Unit 3 Verbs & Actions

How to Write 爬 (pá)

Meaning: "Crawl / Climb"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 爬

The character 爬 (Traditional: 爬) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Crawl / Climb". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 8-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Verbs & Actions, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

爬山 pá shān pa4 saan1
mountain climbing / hiking
爬行 pá xíng pa4 hang4
to crawl

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 爬 is built on the radical 爪 (claw) 93. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Phono-semantic compound: 爪 (claw) serves as the radical indicating action with fingers or claws, and 巴 (bā) provides the phonetic sound and the sense of adhering or clinging.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 我明天打算去爬山。

Wǒ míngtiān dǎsuàn qù páshān.

Traditional: 我明天打算去爬山。

ngo5 ming4 tin1 daa2 syun3 heoi3 pa4 saan1.

"I plan to go hiking tomorrow."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as pá. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is paa4. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '爬'?

A) To climb
B) To jump
C) To sleep
D) To eat

Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 3

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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