茶勺 (chá sháo) is a small spoon traditionally used for measuring and scooping loose-leaf tea into a teapot or gaiwan. The character 茶 means 'tea', referring to the beverage made from tea leaves, while 勺 means 'spoon' — a small utensil with a shallow bowl and handle. Together, they form a compound noun specifying a spoon designed specifically for handling tea, not for eating or stirring.

This tool is common in Chinese tea culture, especially during formal or mindful tea preparation (chá dào). Tea spoons are often made of wood, bamboo, or ceramic, and their size is calibrated to hold roughly one serving of dry leaves (about 3–5 grams). Unlike regular spoons, a 茶勺 is typically flat and shallow to prevent crushing delicate leaves, and it’s never used for tasting or drinking — that’s the role of a different utensil, like a tea tasting spoon (品茗勺).