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匝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
匝zāfull circle; to encircleq, 5 strokes, radical 匚, rank #26929, Very Hard
匝zācircuitunknown, 5 strokes, radical 匚, rank #26929, Very Hard
匝zāto surroundunknown, 5 strokes, radical 匚, rank #26929, Very Hard
匝zāto extend (everywhere)unknown, 5 strokes, radical 匚, rank #26929, Very Hard
zā(za1)za T1
  1. 1full circle; to encircle
  2. 2circuit
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March 24, 2026

匝zā(za1)

The character 匝 (zā) denotes the concept of encircling or surrounding something. It is commonly used in contexts involving circuits or areas that are enclosed or extended, such as in geometry or discussions about boundaries. This character can also imply the idea of something being complete or full circle.

Strokes5Radical匚Frequency#26929DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of circles and enclosure can relate to philosophical ideas such as harmony and balance, often reflected in design and architecture, like the circular layout of a classical Chinese garden.

Memory Tip

Think of 匝 (zā) as a circle (the outer shape) that wraps around a central point, much like how the two components of the character come together to form a complete enclosure. Imagine a zany racetrack where racers circle around a track, emphasizing the idea of encircling or completing a loop.

Meanings of 匝

zā(za1)
1full circle; to encircle
2circuit
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 匝

匝Simplified
5Strokes
匚Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 匝

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Podcast: 匝

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AI Study Notes for 匝

Usage Notes

When using 匝, it is important to note that it is more formal and often appears in technical or literary contexts. Common collocations might include terms related to circuits in electronics or geographical areas. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that might have different meanings due to tonal differences.

HSK Study Tips

Although 匝 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it can enhance your understanding of related terms in the HSK vocabulary, especially those related to shapes, boundaries, and circuits. Focus on recognizing its structure and how it combines with other characters in compound words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 匝 with similar characters like 扎 (zhā), which means to prick or pierce. Remember, 匝 involves the idea of encircling, while 扎 involves penetrating something.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 匝

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Etymology of 匝

Decomposition of 匝

IDS Structure⿷匚巾
匝Full Character
=
匚fang1
enclosing
巾jin1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 匝?

How to say full circle; to encircle in Chinese

“full circle; to encircle” in Chinese is匝zā

The character 匝 (zā) denotes the concept of encircling or surrounding something. It is commonly used in contexts involving circuits or areas that are enclosed or extended, such as in geometry or discussions about boundaries. This character can also imply the idea of something being complete or full circle.

When to use 匝

When using 匝, it is important to note that it is more formal and often appears in technical or literary contexts. Common collocations might include terms related to circuits in electronics or geographical areas. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that might have different meanings due to tonal differences.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 匝 with similar characters like 扎 (zhā), which means to prick or pierce. Remember, 匝 involves the idea of encircling, while 扎 involves penetrating something.

Write 匝

匝

Practice writing 匝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 匝

Words Containing This Character3
匝zācircuit
匝道freeway ramp
密密匝匝thick
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 匝

What does 匝道 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 匝

The pronunciation is 'zā', with a high-level tone.

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