Meanings of 乍
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Podcast: 乍
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AI Study Notes for 乍
突然 (tūrán) - use 乍 when emphasizing the first occurrence or an initial surprise, while 突然 focuses more on the unexpected nature of an event.
While 乍 is often used in informal contexts, it can appear in literary works to convey a dramatic moment. A common mistake is to confuse it with 突然 (tūrán), which also means 'suddenly' but lacks the nuance of first-time experiences.
Although 乍 is not included in the official HSK levels, it relates to other words indicating suddenness or initial experiences. Students should focus on its usage in context to grasp subtle variations in meaning.
Learners often mispronounce 乍 by confusing it with other similar-sounding characters like 扎 (zhā), which means 'to pierce.' Remember that 乍 has a distinct tone and meaning related to suddenness.
Pronunciation of 乍
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Learning Lab
Knowing 乍 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 乍
Pictograph of a tool for cutting grass.
Origin
What kind of character is 乍?
Decomposition of 乍
Parts
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How to say first time, for the first time, suddenly in Chinese
“first time, for the first time, suddenly” in Chinese is乍
The character 乍 (zhà) conveys the idea of something happening suddenly or for the first time. It is commonly used to describe abrupt actions or experiences, such as a sudden change in situation or a first encounter with something unfamiliar.
When to use 乍
While 乍 is often used in informal contexts, it can appear in literary works to convey a dramatic moment. A common mistake is to confuse it with 突然 (tūrán), which also means 'suddenly' but lacks the nuance of first-time experiences.
乍 or something close to it
突然 (tūrán) - use 乍 when emphasizing the first occurrence or an initial surprise, while 突然 focuses more on the unexpected nature of an event.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 乍 by confusing it with other similar-sounding characters like 扎 (zhā), which means 'to pierce.' Remember that 乍 has a distinct tone and meaning related to suddenness.
Write 乍
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Practice writing 乍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 乍
乍 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
天气____晴乍雨.
Nature alternate sunshine with rain.
Example Sentences for 乍 (1)
Rebuild it
Rebuild it: “Nature alternate sunshine with rain.”
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Word Family of 乍
Words with 乍
What does 初来乍到 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 乍
You can say '乍一看，这个地方很美' (At first glance, this place is beautiful) to illustrate the sudden realization.
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