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March 24, 2026
啧(嘖)zé(ze2)
The character 啧 (zé) is an interjection used to express approval or admiration, similar to the English 'wow' or 'indeed.' It can also convey disgust when clicking the tongue, indicating disapproval or surprise. This character is commonly used in informal contexts and can express a range of emotions depending on tone and context.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#21991DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing admiration or critique through interjections is common in everyday conversation, reflecting the importance of emotional expression in communication. The sound of 啧 can often be heard in markets or social gatherings when people react to performances or sales.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person clicking their tongue in surprise or admiration while exclaiming 'zé!' The character 啧 resembles a person with their mouth open, either in awe or distaste, making it a visual reminder of the sound made when expressing these emotions.
Meanings of 啧
zé(ze2)
1interjection of approval or admiration
2(interj. of admiration or of disgust)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 啧
啧Simplified
嘖Traditional
11Strokes
口Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 啧
Podcast: 啧
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AI Study Notes for 啧
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person clicking their tongue in surprise or admiration while exclaiming 'zé!' The character 啧 resembles a person with their mouth open, either in awe or distaste, making it a visual reminder of the sound made when expressing these emotions.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 啧 in overly formal contexts or mispronouncing the tone. It's essential to use the correct tone (second tone) to convey the intended meaning. Phrases like 啧啧称赞 (zézé chēngzàn) mean to praise someone, which is a common collocation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 啧 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance conversational skills. At beginner levels, focus on basic interjections and expressions of emotions to build fluency. This character connects with other emotional interjections like 哇 (wā) and 哎 (āi).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing admiration or critique through interjections is common in everyday conversation, reflecting the importance of emotional expression in communication. The sound of 啧 can often be heard in markets or social gatherings when people react to performances or sales.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 啧 with other interjections, like 哇 (wā), which expresses amazement rather than approval. For example, saying '我啧这个表演' (I zé this performance) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我赞美这个表演' (I admire this performance).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 啧
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Grammar Patterns of 啧
啧 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. It carries 4 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
对那小孩讲述的遭遇，老师____啧地表示同情。
The teacher clucked sympathetically at the child's story.
Example Sentences for 啧 (4)
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1
对那小孩讲述的遭遇，老师啧啧地表示同情。
duì nà xiǎo hái jiǎng shù de zāo yù， ， lǎo shī zé zé dì biǎo shì tóng。
The teacher clucked sympathetically at the child's story.
There have been grouses about the economy, interest rates and house prices.
3
他咂嘴发出啧啧声以吸引他们的注意。
tā zā zuǐ fā chū zé zé shēng yǐ xī yǐn tā mén de zhù yì。
He clicked his tongue to attract their attention.
4
他吹了吹勺子里的汤，然后啧啧地喝了下去。
tā chuī le chuī sháo zǐ lǐ de tāng， ， rán hòu zé zé dì hē le xià。
He blew on his soup before slurping it off the spoon.
Cultural Notes for 啧
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing admiration or critique through interjections is common in everyday conversation, reflecting the importance of emotional expression in communication. The sound of 啧 can often be heard in markets or social gatherings when people react to performances or sales.
Word Family of 啧
Words Containing This Character3
啧啧to click one's tongue嘖嘖
啧zéto click one's tongue嘖
啧啧称奇to be astonished嘖嘖稱奇
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 啧啧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 啧
No, 啧 is typically an informal interjection and is best suited for spoken language or casual writing.
You can use it like this: '他的表演真好，啧！' (His performance was really good, wow!)
You should use the second tone when saying 啧, as the tone changes its meaning.
