Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
斋(亝)zhāi(zhai1)
The character 斋 (zhāi) primarily means to fast or abstain from certain foods, especially in a religious context. It can also refer to a vegetarian diet or a study room, reflecting a place of learning or contemplation.
Strokes10Radical文Frequency#20687DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 斋 is often associated with Buddhist practices where adherents abstain from meat, especially during certain festivals or periods, reflecting a deep respect for life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a monk in a quiet study room, practicing abstinence from worldly pleasures. The character 斋 combines the 'roof' component 宀 (indicating a building) with 'fasting' concepts, helping you remember that this is a place of spiritual reflection and vegetarian meals.
Meanings of 斋
zhāi(zhai1)
1to fast, to abstain; a vegetarian diet
2vegetarian diet
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 斋
斋Simplified
亝Traditional
10Strokes
文Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 斋
Podcast: 斋
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 斋
Quick Contrast
素 (sù, vegetarian) — use 斋 (zhāi) when emphasizing the religious or ceremonial aspect of abstaining from food, rather than just the dietary choice.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a monk in a quiet study room, practicing abstinence from worldly pleasures. The character 斋 combines the 'roof' component 宀 (indicating a building) with 'fasting' concepts, helping you remember that this is a place of spiritual reflection and vegetarian meals.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include misusing 斋 to refer to non-vegetarian diets. It is mostly used in formal contexts related to religion or education. Pay attention to the tone, as 斋 (zhāi) with the first tone differs from other tones.
HSK Study Tips
While 斋 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be relevant for learners interested in religious or cultural contexts. Focus on recognizing it in texts related to Buddhism or vegetarianism, which may appear in advanced studies.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 斋 is often associated with Buddhist practices where adherents abstain from meat, especially during certain festivals or periods, reflecting a deep respect for life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 斋 (zhāi) with 餐 (cān), which means meal, leading to incorrect phrases like '斋餐' (zhāi cān, which implies a non-vegetarian meal). Correct usage would be '素餐' (sù cān) for vegetarian meal.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 斋
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 斋 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 斋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 斋
斋 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 6 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 2
Complete the Sentence
日落时开____，按传统会吃椰枣、喝水。
The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally with dates and water.
It was a favourite meal on Fridays and fast days, particularly during Lent.
Cultural Notes for 斋
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 斋 is often associated with Buddhist practices where adherents abstain from meat, especially during certain festivals or periods, reflecting a deep respect for life.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, fasting is often linked to personal health or spiritual reflection, whereas in China, it is frequently tied to religious observances and communal practices.
Word Family of 斋
Words Containing This Character16
斋zhāistudy room齋
斋戒to fast齋戒
斋藤Saitō (Japanese surname)齋藤
书斋study (room)書齋
斋月Ramadan (Islam)齋月
斋期a fast齋期
聊斋志异Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Qing dynasty book of tales by 蒲松齡|蒲松龄[PúSōnglíng]聊齋志異
吃斋to be a vegetarian吃齋
斋堂dining hall in a Buddhist temple齋堂
开斋节Eid al-Fitr or Feast of Breaking the Fast, celebrated on the last day of Ramadan開齋節
斋饭food given to Buddhist monks as alms齋飯
开斋to break a fast開齋
化斋to beg for food (of monks)化齋
封斋Ramadan (Islam)封齋
打斋to beg for (vegetarian) food打齋
斋果(religious) offerings齋果
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 斋 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 斋
斋 (zhāi) is the simplified form used in modern Chinese, while 齋 (zhāi) is the traditional form. Both carry similar meanings.
Yes, but it is more common in formal or religious contexts, rather than everyday discussions about food.
In addition to fasting, 斋 can refer to a vegetarian diet or a study room, indicating its use in both culinary and educational contexts.
