台 (tái) is a Chinese character meaning “platform”. It is written from 厶 (private component) and 口 (mouth), one above the other, and takes 5 strokes.
Build the character for “platform”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
StartLearn this character
Structure
厶 + 口
Top–bottom structure
Structure from: 现代字形拆分：hanzi-writer-data 2.0.1 笔画核验（厶 2 + 口 3 = 5）
Memory aid
A small private mark (厶) lifted up above an open mouth (口) — a raised platform where one voice reaches everyone. Both parts are really in this character.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
5 strokes
In real words
- 电台diàn táiradio station台 = tái
- 上台shàng táito go on stage台 = tái
- 台灯tái dēngdesk lamp; table lamp台 = tái
- 台甫tái fǔyour courtesy name (polite way of asking a man's style name)台 = tái
- 台阶tái jiēsteps; a flight of steps台 = tái
- 灶台zào táistovetop; cooktop; the top surface of a kitchen stove台 = tái
- 垮台kuǎ táito collapse; to fall from power台 = tái
Go deeper
All readings
platform
platform; stage; broadcasting station; measure word for machines and equipment
高而平的建筑或器物；舞台；广播电视机构。也用作机器设备的量词。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 电台diàn táiradio station台 = tái
- 上台shàng táito go on stage台 = tái
- 台灯tái dēngdesk lamp; table lamp台 = tái
- 台甫tái fǔyour courtesy name (polite way of asking a man's style name)台 = tái
- 台阶tái jiēsteps; a flight of steps台 = tái
- 灶台zào táistovetop; cooktop; the top surface of a kitchen stove台 = tái
- 垮台kuǎ táito collapse; to fall from power台 = tái
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 台 mean?
台 (tái) means platform; stage; broadcasting station; measure word for machines and equipment.
How do you pronounce 台?
It is pronounced tái.
What parts is 台 made of?
厶 (private component) and 口 (mouth), one above the other. The recorded source is: 现代字形拆分：hanzi-writer-data 2.0.1 笔画核验（厶 2 + 口 3 = 5）. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 台 have?
5. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 台?
口. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 台?
Common ones are 电台 and 上台. The reading of 台 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.