殆
dài
danger; nearly
At a glance · 殆

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

殆 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 殆 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 殆 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 殆 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 殆 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 殆 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从歹台声,形声字,本指危险、将亡。隶楷作「殆」。

What the sketch shows

殆 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「殆」本指危殆,引申为几乎、大概(副词)。

Structure

形声字,歹(歺)为意符,台为声符。

At a glance

Pinyindài
Radical歹
Strokes9
UnicodeU+6B86
Character type形声
Theme状态

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English danger; nearly Danger, peril; nearly, probably.
Français danger; presque Danger, péril; presque, probablement.
Español peligro; casi Peligro, riesgo; casi, probablemente.
العربية خطر؛ تقريبًا خطر أو تقريبًا أو ربما.
Русский опасность; почти Опасность, гибель; почти, вероятно.

Common words

  • 殆dàidangerous
  • 殆尽dài jìnalmost all