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棗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
棗zǎodate tree; dates, jujubes; surnamezg, 12 strokes, radical 木
zǎo(zao3)zao T3
  1. 1date tree; dates, jujubes; surname
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March 24, 2026

棗zǎo(zao3)

The character 棗 (zǎo) primarily refers to the jujube tree and its fruit, known for its sweetness and health benefits. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese culture.

Strokes12Radical木
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, jujubes are often used in festivals and family gatherings, symbolizing prosperity and health. They are also a common ingredient in traditional dishes and herbal remedies, highlighting their importance in daily life.

Memory tip

Imagine a jujube tree with its sweet dates hanging from the branches, resembling small brown orbs. The character 棗 combines the radical '木' (tree) and '造' (to make), suggesting the idea of a tree that produces something sweet, helping you remember 'zǎo' as you picture harvesting dates from it.

Meanings of 棗

zǎo(zao3)
1date tree; dates, jujubes; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 棗

棗Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 棗

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Podcast: 棗

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AI study notes for 棗

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 棗 in conversation, as it is more common in written contexts, especially in culinary or medicinal discussions. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '早' (zǎo, meaning early), which has a very different meaning. Proper collocation includes terms like '红枣' (hóng zǎo, red dates).

HSK Study Tips

Although 棗 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be related to food and health-related terms at this level. Students should focus on recognizing the character's components and its connections to traditional Chinese culture, which often emphasizes health benefits from foods like dates.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 棗 (zǎo) with 早 (zǎo), meaning 'early.' For example, using 棗 in a context about time instead of food can lead to confusion. Always remember that 棗 pertains to the fruit and tree.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 棗

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Etymology of 棗

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 棗. Pictograph of a date tree.

Memory hint

A tree 朿 with many thorns 朿

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 棗?

Decomposition of 棗

IDS Structure⿱朿朿
棗Full character
=
朿ci4
top
朿ci4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 棗?

How to say date tree; dates, jujubes; surname in Chinese

“date tree; dates, jujubes; surname” in Chinese is棗zǎo

The character 棗 (zǎo) primarily refers to the jujube tree and its fruit, known for its sweetness and health benefits. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese culture.

When to use 棗

Be cautious when using 棗 in conversation, as it is more common in written contexts, especially in culinary or medicinal discussions. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '早' (zǎo, meaning early), which has a very different meaning. Proper collocation includes terms like '红枣' (hóng zǎo, red dates).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 棗 (zǎo) with 早 (zǎo), meaning 'early.' For example, using 棗 in a context about time instead of food can lead to confusion. Always remember that 棗 pertains to the fruit and tree.

Write 棗

棗

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

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Cultural Notes for 棗

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While jujubes are valued in Chinese culture for their health benefits and culinary uses, they are less commonly known in Western cultures where dates from the date palm are more prevalent and widely used.

Word Family of 棗

Words containing this character18
枣zǎojujube棗
红枣hóngzǎojujube紅棗
枣子zǎozidates棗子
大枣dàzǎojujube大棗
枣庄zǎozhuāngZaozhuang prefecture level city in Shandong棗莊
酸枣suānzǎosour date (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa)酸棗
蜜枣mìzǎocandied jujube蜜棗
枣树zǎoshùjujube tree棗樹
枣庄市zǎozhuāngshìZaozhuang prefecture level city in Shandong棗莊市
枣阳zǎoyángZaoyang county level city in Xiangfan 襄樊[Xiāng​fán], Hubei棗陽
枣阳市zǎoyángshìZaoyang county level city in Xiangfan 襄樊[Xiāng​fán], Hubei棗陽市
枣泥zǎoníjujube paste棗泥
囫囵吞枣húlúntūnzǎoto lap up囫圇吞棗
枣强县zǎoqiángxiànZaoqiang county in Hengshui 衡水[Héng​shuǐ], Hebei棗強縣
海枣hǎizǎodate (fruit)海棗
枣强zǎoqiángZaoqiang county in Hengshui 衡水[Héng​shuǐ], Hebei棗強
醉枣zuìzǎodates in liquor醉棗
酒枣jiǔzǎodates in liquor酒棗
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 棗

What does 枣 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 棗

Jujubes have a sweet, mild flavor and are often compared to apples or dates in terms of texture.

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