架 meaning and stroke order
To support; frame; rack
How to write 架, stroke by stroke
9 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
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- 9
Meaning of 架
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to support
- frame
- rack
- framework
- classifier for planes, large vehicles, radios etc
How 架 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Wood.
木 gives the meaning and 加 hints at the sound.
Radical: 木 (tree), shared by 388 characters on this site.
How to remember 架
架 is 加 (jiā, to add) sitting on top of 木 (wood). Picture adding pieces of wood together to build a frame or rack, and 加 also hints at the sound jià.
架 appears in words for frames and shelves like 书架 (shūjià, bookshelf) and 衣架 (yījià, clothes hanger), and in common words for conflict like 吵架 (chǎojià, to quarrel) and 打架 (dǎjià, to fight). It is also a measure word for planes and some machines: 一架飞机 (yí jià fēijī) one airplane.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 架 (jià) with 驾 (jià, to drive), which has 马 (horse) under 加 instead of 木. Use 架 for frames and planes, and 驾 for driving, as in 驾驶 (jiàshǐ).
Common words with 架
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 吵架 | chǎojià | to quarrel; to have a row | HSK 3 |
| 衣架 | yījià | clothes hanger; clothes rack | HSK 3 |
| 书架 | shūjià | bookshelf | HSK 3 |
| 打架 | dǎjià | to fight; to scuffle | HSK 5 |
| 绑架 | bǎngjià | to kidnap; to abduct | HSK 7-9 |
| 架子 | jiàzi | shelf; frame | HSK 7-9 |
| 框架 | kuàngjià | (construction) frame; (fig.) framework | HSK 7-9 |
| 架势 | jiàshi | attitude; position (on an issue etc) | HSK 7-9 |
| 十字架 | shízìjià | cross; crucifix | |
| 担架 | dānjià | stretcher; litter | |
| 骨架 | gǔjià | framework; skeleton | |
| 支架 | zhījià | trestle; support; stand; frame; (medicine) stent | |
| 起落架 | qǐluòjià | (aviation) landing gear; undercarriage | |
| 货架 | huòjià | shelf for goods; shop shelf |
架 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 架
How many strokes are in 架?
架 is written with 9 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 架 mean?
架 (jià) means to support; frame; rack. A common word with it is 吵架 (chǎojià), meaning "to quarrel; to have a row".
How do you pronounce 架?
架 is pronounced jià, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 架?
The radical of 架 is 木, which carries the idea of "tree". Dictionaries list 架 under this radical.
Is 架 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 架 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 吵架 and 打架?
吵架 (chǎojià) means to argue with words. 打架 (dǎjià) means to physically fight. Couples 吵架, while kids on a playground might 打架.
Can 架 be used as a measure word for anything besides planes?
Yes. It is used for planes, pianos, cameras, and some large machines, as in 一架钢琴 (yí jià gāngqín, a piano). For cars, Mandarin normally uses 辆 (liàng) instead.