Meanings of 專
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 專
Podcast: 專
Podcast: 專
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 專
专 (zhuān) vs 特 (tè) — choose 专 when emphasizing specialization or focus in a specific field, while 特 highlights uniqueness or distinctiveness.
Imagine a person with a magnifying glass (專) focusing intently on a tiny detail. The radical 專 resembles the action of concentrating one's gaze, while the sound 'zhuān' can remind you of 'zone' - a focused area of expertise or attention.
Learners often confuse 專 with similar characters like 只 (zhǐ), which means 'only'. 專 is typically used in formal contexts, especially in academic or professional settings. Common collocations include 專業 (zhuānyè - specialty) and 專注 (zhuānzhù - to concentrate). Pay attention to the tone; mispronouncing it as 'zhuan' can lead to misunderstandings.
While 專 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with other advanced terms related to specialization. Focus on using it in context with other words that indicate focus or expertise, such as 專業 (specialty) and 專心 (to concentrate).
In Chinese culture, the concept of specialization is highly valued, particularly in professions. The idea of being '專' in one's field is often linked to the Confucian ideal of mastery and lifelong learning.
A common mistake is using 專 when meaning 'only', which is incorrect; instead, use 只 (zhǐ). Another mistake is mispronouncing 專 as 'zhuan', losing the correct tone and thus changing the meaning.
Pronunciation of 專
Drill the tone of 專 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 專
Depicts a hand (寸) spinning a wheel (叀). Based on the original meaning "turn", now written as 轉. The current meaning is a phonetic loan. The simplified character 专 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 專.
small
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 專?
Decomposition of 專
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 專?
Write 專
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 專 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 專
In Chinese culture, the concept of specialization is highly valued, particularly in professions. The idea of being '專' in one's field is often linked to the Confucian ideal of mastery and lifelong learning.
Word Family of 專
Compound Meaning
What does 专家 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 專
Common phrases include 專業 (zhuānyè - specialty) and 專注 (zhuānzhù - to concentrate).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 專?
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.