台 tái platform
measure word for machines; platform; Taiwan; desk; stage
How to remember 台: 厶 cocoon + 口 mouth = platform. In the silk workshop a cocoon sits by each machine's open mouth, and the owner watches it all from a raised platform.
Component breakdown
台 = 厶 cocoon + 口 mouth
- 厶 cocoon
- 口 mouth
In the silk workshop a cocoon sits by each machine's open mouth, and the owner watches it all from a raised platform.
How it came to be
No ancient form, because the terrace meaning is not this character's own. The full form was a tower on a high mound; simplification threw it away and moved its meaning onto this older, unrelated shape.
How it is used
- Platform / stage / desk, plus a measure word for machines - 舞台 (wǔtái) stage, 阳台 (yángtái) balcony, 一台电脑 (yì tái diànnǎo) a computer.
- 台 counts machines and appliances (computers, TVs, cars-as-equipment).
- 电视台 (diànshìtái) TV station; 平台 (píngtái) platform (also digital). Can also abbreviate Taiwan.
Characters built with 台
Words with 台
- 台灯táidēngdesk lampHSK 5
- 台阶táijiēstepsHSK 5
- 平台píngtáiplatformHSK 5
- 电视台diànshìtáitelevision stationHSK 5
- 窗台chuāngtáiwindowsillHSK 5
- 站台zhàntáiplatform (at a railway station)HSK 5
- 舞台wǔtáistageHSK 5
- 阳台yángtáibalconyHSK 5
- 上台shàngtáito rise to power (in politics)HSK 6
- 台球táiqiúbilliardsHSK 6
- 台风táifēngstage presence, poiseHSK 6
- 下台xiàtáito go off the stageHSK 7
- 出台chūtáito officially launch (a policy, program etc)HSK 7
- 前台qiántáistageHSK 7
- 后台hòutáibackstage areaHSK 7
- 电台diàntáitransmitter-receiverHSK 7
- 看台kàntáiterraceHSK 7
- 柜台guìtáisales counterHSK 9
Example sentences
- 这台电视坏了。 Zhè tái diànshì huài le.This TV is broken.
- 歌迷在台下欢呼。 Gēmí zài táixià huānhū.The fans are cheering below the stage.
- 他在讲台上发表演讲。 Tā zài jiǎngtái shàng fābiǎo yǎnjiǎng.He's standing at the dais making a speech.
- 她能使用这台打印机。 Tā néng shǐyòng zhè tái dǎyìnjī.She can use this printer.