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宅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
宅zháiresidencen, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6953, Hard
宅zhái(coll.) to stay in at homen, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6953, Hard
宅zháito hang around at homen, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6953, Hard
宅zháiresidence, dwelling, home; graven, 6 strokes, radical 宀, rank #6953, Hard
zhái(zhai2)zhai T2
  1. 1residence
  2. 2(coll.) to stay in at home
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March 24, 2026

宅zhái(zhai2)

The character 宅 (zhái) primarily means 'residence' or 'dwelling.' It can also colloquially refer to staying at home or hanging around rather than going out. This term is often associated with a sense of comfort and the idea of home as a safe space.

Strokes6Radical宀Frequency#6953DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In modern Chinese culture, the term 宅 has gained popularity with the rise of the '宅文化' (zhái wénhuà), or 'homebody culture,' which celebrates staying in, gaming, and enjoying indoor activities. This reflects a shift in leisure activities among the youth.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cozy house (the roof radical 宀) where you feel safe and relaxed (宅). Think of 'zhái' as the sound of a door closing behind you, signaling that you're staying in. Picture yourself curling up with a book, enjoying the comfort of your宅.

Meanings of 宅

zhái(zhai2)
1residence
2(coll.) to stay in at home
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 宅 means.

About 宅

宅Simplified
6Strokes
宀Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6953Frequency Rank

Podcast: 宅

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Podcast: 宅

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AI Study Notes for 宅

Quick Contrast

家 (jiā) - use 宅 (zhái) when emphasizing the concept of a dwelling or residence, while 家 (jiā) often refers to the idea of home or family.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 宅 with 家 (jiā), which also means home but emphasizes family. 宅 is more informal and often used in the context of staying in. Common collocations include 宅男 (zhái nán) for 'homebody' or 'otaku'.

HSK Study Tips

While 宅 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other words about home and living spaces, like 家 (jiā) and 房子 (fángzi). Focus on how 宅 is used in informal contexts to describe lifestyle choices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 宅 with 家 (jiā), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我喜欢在家' (Wǒ xǐhuān zài jiā) is correct but saying '我喜欢在宅' (Wǒ xǐhuān zài zhái) is incorrect unless emphasizing the homebody aspect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 宅

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Etymology of 宅

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 乇 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

roof

Semantic (meaning)宀
+
Phonetic (sound)乇
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

宅 = 宀 + 乇. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 宅

IDS Structure⿱宀乇
宅Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
乇tuo1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 宅?

How to say residence in Chinese

“residence” in Chinese is宅zhái

The character 宅 (zhái) primarily means 'residence' or 'dwelling.' It can also colloquially refer to staying at home or hanging around rather than going out. This term is often associated with a sense of comfort and the idea of home as a safe space.

When to use 宅

Be careful not to confuse 宅 with 家 (jiā), which also means home but emphasizes family. 宅 is more informal and often used in the context of staying in. Common collocations include 宅男 (zhái nán) for 'homebody' or 'otaku'.

宅 or something close to it

家 (jiā) - use 宅 (zhái) when emphasizing the concept of a dwelling or residence, while 家 (jiā) often refers to the idea of home or family.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 宅 with 家 (jiā), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我喜欢在家' (Wǒ xǐhuān zài jiā) is correct but saying '我喜欢在宅' (Wǒ xǐhuān zài zhái) is incorrect unless emphasizing the homebody aspect.

Write 宅

宅

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

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Grammar Patterns of 宅

宅 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 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

在新建的远郊住____区之间还有空地可以盖房。

There is room for infill between the new outer suburbs.

Example Sentences for 宅 (10)

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1
在新建的远郊住宅区之间还有空地可以盖房。

zài xīn jiàn de yuǎn jiāo zhù zhái qū zhī jiān huán yǒu kōng dì kě yǐ gài fáng。

There is room for infill between the new outer suburbs.
2
在该住宅区的小型购物街上有一半商店都已封上了门窗。

zài gāi zhù zhái qū de xiǎo xíng gòu wù jiē shàng yǒu yī bàn shāng diàn dū yǐ fēng shàng le mén chuāng。

Half the shops are boarded up on the estate's small shopping street.
3
拥有私宅是所有英国人心中压倒一切和根深蒂固的强烈愿望。

yōng yǒu sī zhái shì suǒ yǒu yīng guó rén xīn zhōng yā dǎo yī qiē hé gēn shēn dì gù de qiáng liè yuàn wàng。

Home ownership has been an overarching and innate desire of the British.
4
他以700万英镑的低价买了这3座大宅。

tā yǐ700 700 wàn yīng bàng de dī jià mǎi le3 zhè 3 zuò。

He bought the three mansions for a knockdown £7 million.
5
在区公园住宅区六口或七口之家十分普遍。

zài qū gōng yuán zhù zhái qū liù kǒu huò qī kǒu zhī jiā shí fēn pǔ biàn。

Families of six or seven are the norm in Borough Park.
6
他在贝克斯利的住宅坐落在一片小森林中。

tā zài bèi kè sī lì de zhù zhái zuò luò zài yī piàn xiǎo sēn lín zhōng。

His home in Bexley is tucked away in a miniature forest.
7
他们要在土地被分割为住宅用地前先勘察这块土地.

tā mén yào zài tǔ dì bèi fēn gē wéi zhù zhái yòng dì qián xiān kān chá zhè kuài tǔ dì.

They are surveying the land before it is divided into house lots.
8
据说那座老宅子有鬼魂出没.

jù shuō nà zuò lǎo zhái zǐ yǒu guǐ hún chū méi.

People say ghosts haunt that old house.
9
小湾对岸,沿着河边,东卵豪华住宅区的洁白的宫殿式的大厦闪烁着光彩.

xiǎo wān duì àn, , yán zháo hé, biān , dōng luǎn háo huá zhù zhái qū de jié bái de gōng diàn shì de dà shà shǎn shuò zháo.

Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water.
10
碰巧有一天,安东尼奥跟着爷爷一起来到伯爵的豪华住宅.

pèng qiǎo yǒu yī tiān, , ān dōng ní ào gēn zháo yé yé yī qǐ lái dào bó jué de háo huá zhù.

It happened one day that Antonio went with his grandfather to the Count's great house.

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Cultural Notes for 宅

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Unlike in many Western cultures, where being a 'homebody' might carry a negative connotation, in China, 宅文化 is often embraced and celebrated, especially among younger generations.

Word Family of 宅

Compounds9
诧cha4to be surprised
咤zha4to scold; to shout, to roar, to bellow
侘
垞
姹cha4beautiful, colorful; girl
挓
烢
秺
詫cha4surprised, shocked
Words Containing This Character15
住宅zhùzháiresidence
宅zháiresidence
住宅区residential area住宅區
民宅house
宅子house
宅院house
家宅home
凶宅haunted house兇宅
住宅楼residential building住宅樓
宅第residence
旧宅former residence舊宅
阴宅tomb (feng shui term)陰宅
故宅former home
宅舍house
浮家泛宅lit. to live on a boat
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 宅

What does 诧 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 宅

In everyday conversation, 宅 refers to someone who prefers to stay at home rather than go out, often associated with comfort and relaxation.

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