What does 抄 mean in Chinese?

抄 (chāo) means "to make a copy; to plagiarize; to search and seize; to raid; to grab; to go off with; to take a shortcut; to make a turning move; to fold one's arms" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 6.

How do you pronounce 抄?

抄 is pronounced "chāo" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 抄?

抄 is an HSK 6 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 6 on the new one.

What words contain the character 抄?

Common words with 抄 include 抄写 (to copy), 抄袭 (to plagiarize), 传抄 (to copy (a text) from person to person), 兜抄 (to surround and attack), 包抄 (to outflank).

How do you write 抄?

You can practice writing 抄 using our stroke order tool.

抄 (chāo), to make a copy

抄

chāo

to make a copy; to plagiarize; to search and seize; to raid

HSK 6 Was HSK 5verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 手 (no. 64)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to make a copy
to plagiarize
to search and seize
to raid
to grab
to go off with
to take a shortcut
to make a turning move
to fold one's arms

Example Sentences

他因为考试作弊被发现，老师让他重新抄写一遍试卷。

Tā yīnwèi kǎoshì zuòbì bèi fāxiàn, lǎoshī ràng tā chóngxīn chāoxiě yí biàn shìjuàn

He was caught cheating on the exam, and the teacher made him copy the test paper again

Words Containing 抄

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
抄写	chāo xiě	to copy
抄袭	chāo xí	to plagiarize	HSK 7-9
传抄	chuán chāo	to copy (a text) from person to person
兜抄	dōu chāo	to surround and attack
包抄	bāo chāo

Related Words

搬(bān)· to move (i.e. relocate oneself)

→

抄袭(chāo xí)· to plagiarize

→

抄获(chāo huò)· to search and seize

→

查抄(chá chāo)· to take inventory of and confiscate a criminal's possessions

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 6
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

抄: HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 6 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 6 exam

Studying for HSK 6? Keep 抄 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 6 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.