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March 24, 2026
殖zhí(zhi2)
殖 (zhí) refers to the concepts of growth, reproduction, and prosperity. It is commonly used in contexts related to biology, agriculture, and economics, such as breeding animals or plants, and can imply an increase in quantity or wealth. This character embodies the idea of flourishing or multiplying in various aspects of life.
Strokes12Radical歹Frequency#43155DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of reproduction and growth is deeply tied to agricultural practices in China, where prosperity from farming is celebrated during festivals like the Harvest Festival. The character reflects the importance of fertility and abundance in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny seed (the character's components) that is planted in rich soil, growing into a lush plant (representing growth and reproduction). The character resembles a plant sprouting (the top part) and flourishing (the bottom part), reminding you of 'zhí' for 'grow' and 'prosper'.
Meanings of 殖
zhí(zhi2)
1to grow
2to reproduce
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 殖 means.
About 殖
殖Simplified
12Strokes
歹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#43155Frequency Rank
Podcast: 殖
Podcast: 殖
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AI Study Notes for 殖
Quick Contrast
繁 (fán) vs 殖 (zhí): Use 繁 when emphasizing abundance or multiplicity in a broader sense, while 殖 focuses more specifically on growth and reproduction.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 殖 with similar characters like 残 (cán), meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left over'. It is often used in formal contexts, such as academic or scientific discussions, when discussing reproduction or growth. Common collocations include '殖民地' (zhímín dì) meaning 'colony' or '殖生' (zhíshēng) meaning 'breeding'.
HSK Study Tips
While 殖 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it relates to HSK Level 5 words like '繁殖' (fánzhí, to breed) and '生长' (shēngzhǎng, to grow). Focus on understanding its usage in biological and economic contexts to enhance your vocabulary and improve comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 殖 with 直 (zhí), which means 'straight' or 'direct'. For example, saying '我想要殖的路' (wǒ xiǎng yào zhí de lù) instead of '我想要直的路' (wǒ xiǎng yào zhí de lù) shows a misunderstanding of the meanings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 殖
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How Well Do You Know 殖?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 殖 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
殖 = 歹 + 直. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 殖
IDS Structure⿰歹直
殖Full Character
=
歹dai3
left
直Zhi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 殖?
How to say to grow in Chinese
“to grow” in Chinese is殖zhí
殖 (zhí) refers to the concepts of growth, reproduction, and prosperity. It is commonly used in contexts related to biology, agriculture, and economics, such as breeding animals or plants, and can imply an increase in quantity or wealth. This character embodies the idea of flourishing or multiplying in various aspects of life.
When to use 殖
Be careful not to confuse 殖 with similar characters like 残 (cán), meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left over'. It is often used in formal contexts, such as academic or scientific discussions, when discussing reproduction or growth. Common collocations include '殖民地' (zhímín dì) meaning 'colony' or '殖生' (zhíshēng) meaning 'breeding'.
殖 or something close to it
繁 (fán) vs 殖 (zhí): Use 繁 when emphasizing abundance or multiplicity in a broader sense, while 殖 focuses more specifically on growth and reproduction.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 殖 with 直 (zhí), which means 'straight' or 'direct'. For example, saying '我想要殖的路' (wǒ xiǎng yào zhí de lù) instead of '我想要直的路' (wǒ xiǎng yào zhí de lù) shows a misunderstanding of the meanings.
Write 殖
殖
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Practice writing 殖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 殖
殖 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 3 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.
英国最早尝试在爱尔兰开拓____民地是在12世纪。
The first British attempt to colonize Ireland was in the twelfth century.
Example Sentences for 殖 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
英国最早尝试在爱尔兰开拓殖民地是在12世纪。
yīng guó zuì zǎo cháng shì zài ài ěr lán kāi tuò zhí mín dì shì zài12 12 shì。
The first British attempt to colonize Ireland was in the twelfth century.
2
他满脑子都是工厂化养殖的事儿。
tā mǎn nǎo zǐ dū shì gōng chǎng huà yǎng zhí de shì ér。
He's got a bee in his bonnet about factory farming.
3
殖民地正要求获得更大程度上的自治。
zhí mín dì zhèng yào qiú huò dé gēng dà chéng dù shàng de zì zhì。
The colonies were claiming a larger measure of self-government.
