Meanings of 咤
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 咤
Podcast: 咤
Podcast: 咤
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 咤
咆 (páo) — use 咤 (zhà) when emphasizing scolding or reprimanding, while 咆 (páo) focuses more on the sound of roaring without the reprimanding nuance.
Be cautious with the tone when using 咤, as it carries a strong, often negative connotation. It is generally used in more informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing or speech. Common collocations include phrases related to shouting or reprimanding.
While 咤 is not listed in the HSK levels, it can be related to other verbs of sound or action like 喊 (hǎn, to shout) or 叫 (jiào, to call). Focus on the emotional intensity conveyed by this character when learning.
Learners often confuse 咤 (zhà) with similar-sounding words like 叫 (jiào), leading to incorrect usage in contexts of gentler calling. For example, saying '我咤他' (wǒ zhà tā) instead of '我叫他' (wǒ jiào tā) when simply trying to call someone.
Pronunciation of 咤
Drill the tone of 咤 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 咤
mouth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 咤
- 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half宅 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymouth
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 咤? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 咤?
Decomposition of 咤
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 咤?
How to say to scold; to shout, to roar, to bellow in Chinese
“to scold; to shout, to roar, to bellow” in Chinese is咤
The character 咤 (zhà) means to scold or to shout, often conveying a sense of loudness or intensity. It can be used in contexts where someone is reprimanding another or expressing strong emotions vocally, resembling the sound of roaring or bellowing.
When to use 咤
Be cautious with the tone when using 咤, as it carries a strong, often negative connotation. It is generally used in more informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing or speech. Common collocations include phrases related to shouting or reprimanding.
咤 or something close to it
咆 (páo) — use 咤 (zhà) when emphasizing scolding or reprimanding, while 咆 (páo) focuses more on the sound of roaring without the reprimanding nuance.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 咤 (zhà) with similar-sounding words like 叫 (jiào), leading to incorrect usage in contexts of gentler calling. For example, saying '我咤他' (wǒ zhà tā) instead of '我叫他' (wǒ jiào tā) when simply trying to call someone.
Write 咤
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 咤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 咤
Compound Meaning
What does 叱咤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咤
Synonyms include 叫 (jiào, to call) and 喊 (hǎn, to shout), though 咤 emphasizes a more intense or scolding tone.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 咤?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.