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March 24, 2026
滋zī(zi1)
The character 滋 (zī) primarily means 'to nourish' or 'to grow.' It is often used in contexts related to the enhancement of flavor, vitality, or growth, such as in food and health. The character conveys a sense of increase or improvement, making it commonly used in expressions related to growth and nourishment.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#10627DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, 滋 is often associated with nourishing foods that are believed to enhance health and vitality, such as 滋补 (zībǔ), which refers to nourishing tonics or supplements. This concept of nourishment is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, reflecting a holistic approach to health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a plant soaking up nourishing juice from the earth, represented by the water radical 水 on the left side of 滋. Picture this juice (滋) helping the plant thrive and grow, which connects to the meaning of the character as well as its pronunciation 'zī,' reminiscent of a gentle 'zizzy' sound as the plant grows.
Meanings of 滋
zī(zi1)
1to grow
2to nourish
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 滋
滋Simplified
12Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10627Frequency Rank
Podcast: 滋
Podcast: 滋
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AI Study Notes for 滋
Quick Contrast
滋 (zī) vs 增 (zēng) — use 滋 when referring to nourishment or enhancement of flavor, while 增 is more general for increase or addition.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 滋 with similar-sounding characters like 资 (zī, resources) or 司 (sī, to manage). It's generally used in more formal contexts, especially in literature or health-related discussions. Be cautious with the tone; remember that 滋 is pronounced with a high-level tone (first tone).
HSK Study Tips
While 滋 is not categorized under HSK levels, it connects well with other words related to growth and nourishment, like 生 (shēng, to give birth/grow) and 育 (yù, to nurture). Students should focus on recognizing this character in context and understanding its nuanced meanings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often incorrectly use 滋 in place of other characters like 增 (zēng, to increase) when referring to numerical growth. For example, saying 滋人口 (zī rén kǒu) instead of 增人口 (zēng rén kǒu) to mean 'increase in population' is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 滋
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2The sound half兹 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 滋? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 滋?
Decomposition of 滋
IDS Structure⿰氵兹
滋Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
兹zi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 滋?
How to say to grow in Chinese
“to grow” in Chinese is滋zī
The character 滋 (zī) primarily means 'to nourish' or 'to grow.' It is often used in contexts related to the enhancement of flavor, vitality, or growth, such as in food and health. The character conveys a sense of increase or improvement, making it commonly used in expressions related to growth and nourishment.
When to use 滋
Common mistakes include confusing 滋 with similar-sounding characters like 资 (zī, resources) or 司 (sī, to manage). It's generally used in more formal contexts, especially in literature or health-related discussions. Be cautious with the tone; remember that 滋 is pronounced with a high-level tone (first tone).
滋 or something close to it
滋 (zī) vs 增 (zēng) — use 滋 when referring to nourishment or enhancement of flavor, while 增 is more general for increase or addition.
What learners get wrong
Learners often incorrectly use 滋 in place of other characters like 增 (zēng, to increase) when referring to numerical growth. For example, saying 滋人口 (zī rén kǒu) instead of 增人口 (zēng rén kǒu) to mean 'increase in population' is incorrect.
Write 滋
滋
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Grammar Patterns of 滋
滋 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 9 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.
