胎

tāi

HSK 7

胎 — tāi

1. fetus; unborn baby

   医生说胎儿发育正常。 yīshēng shuō tāiér fāyù zhèngcháng — The doctor said the fetus is developing normally.

2. classifier for litters (of puppies, etc.)

   那只母狗生了三胎小狗。 nà zhǐ mǔgǒu shēng le sāntāi xiǎogǒu — That female dog gave birth to three litters of puppies.

3. padding (in clothing or bedding)

   这件棉袄的胎很厚，很保暖。 zhèjiàn miánǎo de tāi hěnhòu hěn bǎonuǎn — The padding in this cotton-padded jacket is thick and very warm.

4. womb carrying a fetus; pregnancy (the state/location)

   胎在子宫里逐渐长大。 tāi zài zigōng lǐ zhújiàn zhǎngdà — The fetus gradually grows inside the uterus.

5. (figurative) origin; source; birthplace of an idea or thing

   这个想法的胎可以追溯到他童年的经历。 zhège xiǎngfǎ de tāi kěyǐ zhuīsùdào tā tóngnián de jīnglì — The origin of this idea can be traced back to his childhood experiences.

6. (loanword) tire (as in automobile tire)

   后胎没气了，得换一条胎。 hòu tāi méiqì le dé huàn yītiáo tāi — The rear tire is flat; we need to change a tire.