Learn Chinese Characters

Meaning

to wipe; to erase; rubbing (brush stroke in painting); to clean; to polish

Chinese: 摩擦、擦拭。

Hear the Four Tones

The same syllable “ca” becomes a different word in each tone. 擦 is the 1st tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.

Stroke Order

Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.

Common Words

  • 摩擦mó cāfriction; rubbing; chafing; fig. disharmony
  • 擦子cā zieraser; (kitchen) grater; shredder
  • 擦边cā biānto make light contact with the edge of sth; (fig.) to be nearly (a certain age); to be close to (danger); (fig.) to push the boundaries of what is acceptable
  • 擦干cā gānto wipe dry
  • 擦写cā xiěto erase

Example Sentence

他用毛巾擦干了头上的汗。Tā yòng máo jīn cā gān le tóu shàng de hàn.He wiped the sweat from his head with a towel.

他用Tā yòngother use毛巾máo jīntowel擦干cā gānto wipe dryle(completed action)头上tóu shàngoverheaddeofhànperspiration