Definition
打 (dǎ) is a versatile verb meaning 'to hit, strike' but also 'to play (a sport)' and 'to make (a phone call)'. Unlike 拍 (pāi 'pat, clap') or 敲 (qiāo 'knock, tap'), 打 is a general-purpose action verb used in many common collocations (打篮球, 打电话).
verb
to hitstrikebeatto play (a ball game or sport)to make (a phone call, a document, etc.)
Easily confused
- 钉dìnglook-aliketo nail, to pin, to staple (fasten by driving a pointed object)
- 大dàsound-alikebig, large
- 订dìnglook-aliketo order (goods, tickets, food, etc.), to book
- 搭dāsound-aliketo put up, to build (scaffolding, a shed, a shelf)
- 可kělook-alike(adverb) used for emphasis: really, certainly, very
- 答dásound-aliketo answer, to reply, to respond
- 盯dīnglook-aliketo stare at, to fix one's attention on, to gaze at
Examples
- 打。Tā dǎ le wǒ yí xià.He hit me once.
- 打。Qǐng gěi wǒ dǎ gè diànhuà.Please give me a phone call.
- 打。Wǒ měitiān dǎ lánqiú.I play basketball every day.
Browse more HSK 2 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.