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March 24, 2026
爪zhǎo(zhao3)
The character 爪 (zhǎo) refers to claws, nails, or talons, commonly associated with animals like cats or birds. It is often used in contexts relating to gripping or scratching, highlighting the functional aspect of these appendages in nature.
Strokes4Radical爪Frequency#7524DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, claws are often associated with strength and ferocity, particularly in folklore and stories featuring mythical creatures like dragons or tigers, which symbolize power.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cat's sharp claws (爪) gripping onto a tree branch. The character has a visual resemblance to the way claws extend outward, and the pronunciation 'zhǎo' can be remembered by picturing a cat 'meowing' while showcasing its claws.
Meanings of 爪
zhǎo(zhao3)
primary
1claws, nails, talons
2claw
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 爪
爪Simplified
4Strokes
爪Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 爪
Podcast: 爪
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AI Study Notes for 爪
Quick Contrast
爪 (claw) vs 牙 (tooth) — use 爪 when referring specifically to claws or nails, while 牙 refers to teeth.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cat's sharp claws (爪) gripping onto a tree branch. The character has a visual resemblance to the way claws extend outward, and the pronunciation 'zhǎo' can be remembered by picturing a cat 'meowing' while showcasing its claws.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 爪 with other characters that depict similar concepts, such as 指 (zhǐ) which means 'finger'. This character is generally used in informal contexts. Be careful with the third tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While 爪 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it appears in advanced contexts related to animals or anatomy. Students should focus on associating it with related words like 指 (finger) and 手 (hand) to enhance their vocabulary around body parts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, claws are often associated with strength and ferocity, particularly in folklore and stories featuring mythical creatures like dragons or tigers, which symbolize power.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 爪 with the character 牙 (yá), which means 'tooth'. A common error is saying '猫的牙很锋利' (The cat's teeth are sharp) instead of '猫的爪很锋利' (The cat's claws are sharp).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 爪
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Grammar Patterns of 爪
爪 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 2 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 5
Complete the Sentence
它有3对腿，每条腿上都有一只巨____。
It has three pairs of legs, each ending in a large claw.
guān zhòng bù huì wàng jì fēng dù piān piān de nán zhǔ jiǎo dé kè mào zháo shēng mìng wēi xiǎn bǎ dá fú nī cóng è lóng zhǎo xià jiù chū de qíng xíng。
Viewers will remember the dashing hero, Dirk, risking life and limb to rescue Daphne from the dragons.
9
那些狗继续用爪子疯狂地抓铁丝网。
nà xiē gǒu jì xù yòng zhǎo zǐ fēng kuáng dì zhuā tiě sī wǎng。
The dogs continued to paw and claw frantically at the chain mesh.
10
他的指头弯得像鹰爪一样, 可是抓了个空.
tā de zhǐ tóu wān dé xiàng yīng zhǎo yī yàng, , kě shì zhuā le gè.
The fingers were curved like talons , but they closed on empty air.
Cultural Notes for 爪
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, claws are often associated with strength and ferocity, particularly in folklore and stories featuring mythical creatures like dragons or tigers, which symbolize power.
Word Family of 爪
Words Containing This Character12
爪zhǎopaw
爪子zhuǎzi(animal's) claw
魔爪claws
爪牙pawn
张牙舞爪to bare fangs and brandish claws (idiom); to make threatening gestures張牙舞爪
爪哇Java (island of Indonesia)
爪哇岛Java (island of Indonesia)爪哇島
脚爪paw腳爪
爪印paw print
一鳞半爪lit. one scale and half a claw (idiom); only odd bits and pieces一鱗半爪
雪泥鸿爪a goose's footprint in the snow雪泥鴻爪
东鳞西爪odds and ends (idiom)東鱗西爪
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 爪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 爪
It can be found in phrases describing animal behavior or in compound words like 爪子 (zhǎozi), meaning 'paw'.
Yes, it can come up when discussing pets or wildlife, but it's less common in formal language.
Practice saying it in phrases that emphasize its meaning, such as 'the cat's claws are sharp' to reinforce the third tone.
