Level 2 · Unit 5 Money & Adjectives

How to Write 矮 (ǎi)

Meaning: "Short height"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 矮

The character 矮 (Traditional: 矮) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Short height". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 13-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 Money & Adjectives, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

矮小 ǎixiǎo ai2 siu2
Short and small
矮子 ǎizi ai2 zi2
Short person

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 矮 is built on the radical 矢 (111). Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Phono-semantic compound: 矢 (arrow) indicates the phonetic element, while 委 indicates meaning related to being bent or low.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 他个子长得很矮。

Tā gèzi zhǎng de hěn ǎi.

Traditional: 他個子長得很矮。

Taa1 go3 zi2 zoeng2 dak1 han2 ai2.

"He is very short."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as ǎi. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is ai2. 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 '矮'?

A) Short (height)
B) Tall
C) Intelligent
D) Heavy

Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 5

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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