How many meanings does 打 have?

打 is one of the most polysemous characters in Chinese, with over 200 different meanings and usages covering actions from physical striking to abstract concepts.

Is 打 commonly used in names?

打 is rarely used in personal names due to its aggressive connotations of hitting and fighting, though it may appear in some compound surnames or artistic names.

What are the most common uses of 打?

The most frequent modern uses include making phone calls, playing sports, typing, and various idiomatic expressions.

打Tone 3

dǎ ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

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打 · dǎ

to hit;

to strike;

to beat;

to fight;

to play (sports/games);

to type;

to make (a call);

to do;

to engage in;

from;

since

to hitto striketo beat

Usage highlights

to hitto play ballto make a phone callto typeto work partto fight

Synonyms

击— to hit; to strike
敲— to knock; to tap
拍— to pat; to clap

Antonyms

挨— to suffer; to endure (hitting)
接— to receive; to catch

Usage & contexts

Examples

He plays basketball (打篮球).
I need to make a phone call (打电话).
She types very fast (打字很快).
They fight against injustice (打抱不平).
We work part-time (打工).

Collocations

to hit(打人)
to play ball(打球)
to make a phone call(打电话)
to type(打字)
to work part-time(打工)
to fight(打架)

Idioms

To strike while the iron is hot(趁热打铁)
To make a surprise attack(打草惊蛇)
To fish in troubled waters(浑水摸鱼打)
To beat the grass to scare the snake(打草惊蛇)

Cultural background

FAQ

One of the most versatile verbs in Chinese with over 200 different usages
Originally meant 'to strike with hand', evolved to cover many action meanings
Common in martial arts terminology and sports vocabulary

打 (dǎ) - to hit & to strike