In 15 Seconds
- Physical action of raising your leg or foot.
- Common in sports, health, and giving physical directions.
- Literal meaning only; not used as a metaphor for leaving.
Meaning
Literally lifting your leg or foot off the ground. It describes the physical action of starting to walk, stepping over something, or even doing a leg exercise.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a yoga class
请大家深呼吸，慢慢抬腿。
Everyone please breathe deeply and slowly lift your leg.
Warning a friend about a wire
小心地上的电线，抬腿走过去。
Watch the wires on the floor, lift your leg and walk over.
During a physical exam
医生让我抬腿看看疼不疼。
The doctor asked me to lift my leg to see if it hurts.
Cultural Background
While a simple physical term, 'lifting the leg' is the foundation of many Chinese 'Gongfu' movements. In modern urban life, 'high-knee lifts' (高抬腿) are a staple of morning radio exercises in schools across China. It represents the start of action and physical readiness.
Make it a command
Adding '起' (qǐ) makes it sound more like a direction to start the action: '抬起腿来!'
Not for 'leaving'
In English, 'stepping out' means leaving. In Chinese, '抬腿' is just the physical movement. Use '走' (zǒu) to say you are leaving.
In 15 Seconds
- Physical action of raising your leg or foot.
- Common in sports, health, and giving physical directions.
- Literal meaning only; not used as a metaphor for leaving.
What It Means
抬腿 is a simple, physical action. It means you are raising your leg up. You might do this to avoid a puddle. You might do it during a workout. It is the first step of moving your body forward. It is literal and very easy to visualize.
How To Use It
Use it as a standard verb-object phrase. You can add a duration or a result. For example, 抬起腿来 means to lift the leg up. If you are at the doctor, they might say this. If you are learning dance, your teacher will shout it. It is a direct command or description.
When To Use It
Use it when giving physical instructions. It is perfect for yoga class or gym sessions. Use it when warning someone about an obstacle. "Watch out, 抬腿!" helps them avoid tripping. It is also used in medical contexts. A nurse might ask you to 抬腿 for a checkup.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for "leaving" a place. In English, we say "hit the road." In Chinese, 抬腿 does not mean departing. It only refers to the physical limb movement. Also, do not use it for "kicking." Kicking is 踢, which is much more aggressive. 抬腿 is neutral and controlled.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, how you move matters. 抬腿 is part of basic physical awareness. In traditional martial arts, 抬腿 must be stable. In daily etiquette, lifting your legs too high while sitting is rude. It is seen as too casual or even provocative. So, keep your legs down unless you are moving!
Common Variations
抬起腿: Lift up the leg (more specific).抬抬腿: Lift the leg a bit (softer, like a suggestion).高抬腿: High-knee running (a common exercise).别抬腿: Don't lift your leg (a warning during a medical procedure).
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and can be used in any setting where physical movement is discussed. Be careful to use it literally rather than metaphorically.
Make it a command
Adding '起' (qǐ) makes it sound more like a direction to start the action: '抬起腿来!'
Not for 'leaving'
In English, 'stepping out' means leaving. In Chinese, '抬腿' is just the physical movement. Use '走' (zǒu) to say you are leaving.
The 'High' Factor
Adding '高' (gāo) to get '高抬腿' is the standard term for the 'high-knees' exercise every Chinese student knows from PE class.
Examples
6请大家深呼吸，慢慢抬腿。
Everyone please breathe deeply and slowly lift your leg.
Standard instructional use in a fitness setting.
小心地上的电线，抬腿走过去。
Watch the wires on the floor, lift your leg and walk over.
Practical safety advice.
医生让我抬腿看看疼不疼。
The doctor asked me to lift my leg to see if it hurts.
Medical context for range of motion.
今天做了100个高抬腿，累死了！
I did 100 high-knees today, I'm exhausted!
Using the variation 'high-knee' in a casual text.
我的小狗一抬腿就想出门玩。
As soon as my dog lifts its leg, it wants to go out.
Describing an animal's habit.
奶奶，这儿有个台阶，请抬腿。
Grandma, there is a step here, please lift your leg.
Polite and helpful direction.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct phrase for a gym coach's instruction.
大家跟着我，___，一二，一二！
抬腿 (tái tuǐ) means lifting the leg, which fits the 'one-two' rhythm of a leg exercise.
How do you tell someone to be careful of a step?
前面有台阶，请___。
You need to lift your leg (抬腿) to clear a step (台阶).
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '抬腿'
Telling a friend to step over a puddle.
抬腿，别踩水！
A gym instructor giving a command.
现在开始抬腿。
A doctor giving instructions during surgery/exam.
请配合抬腿动作。
Where to use '抬腿'
Gym/Fitness
Doing high-knees
Obstacles
Stepping over a wire
Hospital
Checking for injury
Dance Class
Learning a new move
Practice Bank
2 exercises大家跟着我，___，一二，一二！
抬腿 (tái tuǐ) means lifting the leg, which fits the 'one-two' rhythm of a leg exercise.
前面有台阶，请___。
You need to lift your leg (抬腿) to clear a step (台阶).
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is strictly physical. Use 出发 (chūfā) for starting a journey.
No, 抬腿 is a gentle lift. 踢 (tī) involves force and hitting something.
You can say 抬高一点 (tái gāo yīdiǎn), which means 'lift it a bit higher'.
Not at all. It is a neutral description of a body movement.
Yes! You can say 小狗抬腿 when a dog lifts its leg.
抬腿 is just lifting the leg, while 迈步 (màibù) means taking a full step forward.
Only if you are discussing a fitness product or a medical issue. Otherwise, it's irrelevant.
Not really, but 高抬腿 is often used jokingly to describe someone running away very fast.
Yes, 抬脚 (tái jiǎo) means 'lift your foot' and is often interchangeable in daily life.
No, it's a very safe, literal phrase to use.
Related Phrases
抬头 (tái tóu) - To lift one's head
迈步 (mài bù) - To take a step
抬手 (tái shǒu) - To lift one's hand
踢腿 (tī tuǐ) - To kick one's leg
