Meanings of 召
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About 召
Podcast: 召
Podcast: 召
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AI Study Notes for 召
召 (shào) vs 叫 (jiào) — use 召 for formal summoning or gathering, while 叫 is more casual for calling someone's name or getting their attention.
Imagine a general '召' (shào) summoning his troops with a loud voice. The character looks like a person (亻) calling out (召) to gather others, emphasizing the action of calling or summoning.
Be careful not to confuse 召 with similar sounding characters like 照 (zhào), which means 'to shine' or 'to reflect.' It's used in both formal and informal settings, so adjust your tone accordingly. Common collocations include 召集 (shàojí) which means 'to convene' or 'to assemble.'
This character may not be in the standard HSK levels but is useful for learners aiming to expand their vocabulary beyond basic phrases. It connects well with other action verbs, such as 叫 (jiào - to call) and 请 (qǐng - to invite), which are essential at beginner levels.
召 also refers to ancient Chinese states, such as the state of Shao during the Zhou dynasty, highlighting its historical significance. It may appear in place names in Inner Mongolia, reflecting the character's deep-rooted ties to Chinese geography and history.
Learners often confuse 召 with 叫 (jiào), which also means 'to call' but is less formal. For example, saying '我召叫他' (Wǒ shào jiào tā) is incorrect; instead, use '我召他' (Wǒ shào tā).
Pronunciation of 召
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Etymology of 召
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 刀 represents the sound.
mouth
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 召?
Decomposition of 召
Identify the Components
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Write 召
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Practice writing 召 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 召
召 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
Complete the Sentence
这是为了讨论改善环境问题而____开的会议。
This is a meeting convened for the purpose of discussing environmental improvement.
Common Confusions with 召
Similar sound, but 招 has a different meaning related to recruitment.
Similar pronunciation and shape, but different meanings.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to call together"?
Example Sentences for 召 (10)
Cultural Notes for 召
召 also refers to ancient Chinese states, such as the state of Shao during the Zhou dynasty, highlighting its historical significance. It may appear in place names in Inner Mongolia, reflecting the character's deep-rooted ties to Chinese geography and history.
Word Family of 召
Compound Meaning
What does 超 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 召
You can say '我召集大家开会' (Wǒ shàojí dàjiā kāihuì) meaning 'I am calling everyone to a meeting.'