(cǎo)

HSK 29 strokes

variant of 草[cao3]

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
cǎo
Meaning
variant of 草[cao3]
Strokes
9
HSK level
HSK 2
Traditional
Same

Origin & structure

Where comes from and how its parts fit together.

Phonetic-semantic compound⿱艹早

In this compound, the meaning comes from (grass); supplies the sound.

One part carries the meaning, the other suggests the sound.

Made of

Parts are arranged top to bottom.

How to write step by step

9 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

Words with

Common words using — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

HSK 7-9

(idiom) rare or exotic flowers and plants

Open 奇花异草 page →

to cut weeds and eliminate the roots (idiom); to destroy root and branch

Open 斩草除根 page →
cǎo

milkweeds (genus Asclepias)

Open 乳草 page →
xiāncǎo

medicinal herb (genus Mesona); grass jelly

Open 仙草 page →

Chinese herbal medicine

Open 中草药 page →

caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) (The fungus grows within the body of a cat…

Open 冬虫夏草 page →

Related characters

Ready to master 草?

Trace 草 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.