跳

• Pinyin: tiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 跳 = 足 (foot) + 兆 (omen, phonetic component)

Meaning

To jump; to leap; to bounce. A basic physical action word describing upward or forward movement off the ground.

One of the most fundamental movement verbs. Used both literally for physical jumping and figuratively in expressions like 心跳 (heartbeat). Also forms many compound words related to sports and dance.

Examples

1. 小猫从桌子上跳了下来。 The kitten jumped down from the table.
2. 孩子们在操场上高兴地跳来跳去。 The children were happily jumping around on the playground.
3. 他跳过了那条小河。 He jumped over that small river.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, sports, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他一下子跳了起来。(He jumped up all at once.)
• 小狗高兴得跳来跳去。(The puppy was jumping around happily.)

Don't Say

• 她跳了一个很高的楼。(Don't use 跳 with buildings to mean climbing — 跳楼 specifically means jumping off a building, which has a very different, serious meaning.)

Origin & History

跳 is composed of 足 (foot) and 兆 (sign/omen, phonetic component), reflecting the idea of feet leaving the ground.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal