ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
提
to lift; to raise (a point)
tí
12 strokes · 扌 (hand) + 是 (shì, sound) · HSK 3
What 提 is made of
扌 + 是 = 提
扌hand (side form)
Where 提 comes from
A hand 扌 lifting something by its handle, arm hanging straight. From lifting objects to lifting topics into conversation: raise, mention, propose.
提 in Chinese culture
提高 raise/improve, 提问 ask a question, 提醒 remind (lift someone's awareness). 提前 'lift forward in time' = ahead of schedule — the phrase every Chinese planner lives by.
Example
提高 tígāo — to improve
我想提高我的中文水平。
Wǒ xiǎng tígāo wǒ de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng.
I want to improve my Chinese.
How to remember it
A HAND LIFTS the bag — and lifts the topic into the room.
提 is how you carry a briefcase in Chinese (提包) — always by the handle, arm straight down. Carrying on the shoulder is a different verb entirely.
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 提
提高 tígāo
to improve
提醒 tíxǐng
to remind
Related characters
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