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March 24, 2026
昭zhāo(zhao1)
The character 昭 (zhāo) primarily means 'bright' or 'luminous,' often used to describe something that is clear or manifest. In various contexts, it can refer to clarity in both physical light and abstract ideas, such as clarity of thought or intention.
Strokes9Radical日Frequency#20140DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of clarity and brightness is often associated with wisdom and enlightenment. The phrase '昭昭之治' (zhāo zhāo zhī zhì) refers to a clear and just governance, highlighting the importance of transparency in leadership.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright, shining star (昭) in the night sky illuminating everything around it. The character has the sun (日) on the left, symbolizing brightness, and the 'show' component (昭) on the right, indicating clarity and manifestation. Together, they create a vivid image of something bright that stands out.
Meanings of 昭
zhāo(zhao1)
1bright, luminous; clear, manifest
2to show clearly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 昭
昭Simplified
9Strokes
日Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 昭
Podcast: 昭
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AI Study Notes for 昭
Quick Contrast
明 (míng) - use 昭 when emphasizing clarity or brightness in a more abstract or manifest sense, while 明 typically refers to brightness or clarity in a more general or straightforward manner.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bright, shining star (昭) in the night sky illuminating everything around it. The character has the sun (日) on the left, symbolizing brightness, and the 'show' component (昭) on the right, indicating clarity and manifestation. Together, they create a vivid image of something bright that stands out.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 昭 with similar characters such as 明 (míng), which also means bright but carries a slightly different nuance. This term is more formal and often appears in literary or historical texts, so it's less common in casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 昭 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary list, it shares components with other HSK characters, like 明 (míng), helping students recognize the concept of brightness in various contexts. Focus on the radicals and their meanings to enhance your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of clarity and brightness is often associated with wisdom and enlightenment. The phrase '昭昭之治' (zhāo zhāo zhī zhì) refers to a clear and just governance, highlighting the importance of transparency in leadership.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 昭 with 亮 (liàng), which also means bright but is more commonly used in everyday language. For example, saying '这件衣服很昭' (This piece of clothing is very bright) would be incorrect; instead, use '这件衣服很亮' (This piece of clothing is very bright).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 昭
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Grammar Patterns of 昭
昭 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
这个城市恶名____彰，它把人作践了，然后抛弃掉。
This town is notorious for chewing people up and spitting them out.
Example Sentences for 昭 (2)
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1
这个城市恶名昭彰，它把人作践了，然后抛弃掉。
zhè gè chéng shì è míng zhāo zhāng， ， tā bǎ rén zuò jiàn， le ， rán hòu pāo。
This town is notorious for chewing people up and spitting them out.
2
10年之后，德雷福斯的冤情得以昭雪。
10 10 nián zhī， hòu ， dé léi fú sī de yuān qíng dé yǐ。
Ten years later, Dreyfus was rehabilitated.
Cultural Notes for 昭
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of clarity and brightness is often associated with wisdom and enlightenment. The phrase '昭昭之治' (zhāo zhāo zhī zhì) refers to a clear and just governance, highlighting the importance of transparency in leadership.
Word Family of 昭
Words Containing This Character20
昭zhāobright
臭名昭著notorious
昭示to make clear
昭和Shōwa, Japanese era name, corresponding to the reign (1925-1989) of emperor Hirohito 裕仁[Yùrén]
昭通Zhaotong prefecture level city in Yunnan
昭然若揭abundantly clear
昭雪to exonerate
王昭君Wang Zhaojun (52-19 BC), famous beauty at the court of Han emperor Yuan 漢元帝|汉元帝[HànYuándì], one of the four legendary beauties 四大美女[sìdàměinǚ]
大昭寺Jokhang, main Buddhist temple in Lhasa, a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism
昭阳Zhaoyang district of Zhaotong city 昭通市[Zhāotōngshì], Yunnan昭陽
昭通市Zhaotong prefecture level city in Yunnan
司马昭Sima Zhao (211-265), military general and statesman of Cao Wei 曹魏[CáoWèi]司馬昭
昭平Zhaoping county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi
唐昭宗Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, reign name of twentieth Tang emperor 李曄|李晔[LīYè] (867-904), reigned 888-904
昭苏Zhaosu county or Mongghulküre nahiyisi in Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture 伊犁哈薩克自治州|伊犁哈萨克自治州[YīlíHāsàkèzìzhìzhōu], Xinjiang昭蘇
昭平县Zhaoping county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hèzhōu], Guangxi昭平縣
昭通地区Zhaotong prefecture in Yunnan昭通地區
恶名昭彰infamous惡名昭彰
昭阳区Zhaoyang district of Zhaotong city 昭通市[Zhāotōngshì], Yunnan昭陽區
昭觉Zhaojue county in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture 涼山彞族自治州|凉山彝族自治州[LiángshānYízúzìzhìzhōu], south Sichuan昭覺
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 昭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 昭
It is pronounced as zhāo, with a high-level tone.
It is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts rather than in everyday speech.
