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March 24, 2026
珠zhū(zhu1)
The character 珠 (zhū) primarily refers to a bead or pearl, often used to denote precious stones or jewels. It is commonly used in contexts related to jewelry, decoration, and cultural artifacts, symbolizing beauty and value in Chinese culture.
Strokes10Radical王Frequency#7361DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, pearls are associated with purity and wisdom, often featured in traditional clothing and accessories. They also play a role in various legends and are considered auspicious symbols.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shiny pearl (珠) resting in a clam, representing its precious nature. The character looks like a bead nestled within a shell, helping you remember that 珠 signifies something valuable and beautiful, and the pronunciation 'zhū' rhymes with 'jew', linking it to gems.
Meanings of 珠
zhū(zhu1)
1bead
2pearl
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 珠
珠Simplified
10Strokes
王Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#7361Frequency Rank
粒Measure Word
Podcast: 珠
Podcast: 珠
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AI Study Notes for 珠
Quick Contrast
珍珠 (zhēnzhū) vs 珠 (zhū): 珍珠 specifically refers to 'pearl' as a type of bead, while 珠 is a more general term for 'bead' or 'jewel'.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a shiny pearl (珠) resting in a clam, representing its precious nature. The character looks like a bead nestled within a shell, helping you remember that 珠 signifies something valuable and beautiful, and the pronunciation 'zhū' rhymes with 'jew', linking it to gems.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation; ensure to use the correct tone (first tone) as mispronunciation can alter the meaning. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about jewelry or beauty. Common collocations include 珠宝 (zhūbǎo - jewelry) and 珍珠 (zhēnzhū - pearl).
HSK Study Tips
While 珠 is not explicitly listed in the HSK levels, it connects to vocabulary around beauty and value found in HSK 3 and 4. Focus on its usage in describing items of value and practice combining it with related terms like 珍 (zhēn - precious).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, pearls are associated with purity and wisdom, often featured in traditional clothing and accessories. They also play a role in various legends and are considered auspicious symbols.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 珠 with other similar-sounding words. For example, saying 珠 (zhū) with a low tone instead of a high tone can change the meaning. Always remember to use the first tone for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 珠
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Grammar Patterns of 珠
珠 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 4 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
Complete the Sentence
克劳利连____炮似的对韦特骂个不停。
Crowley maintained a stream of invective and abuse against Waite.
Example Sentences for 珠 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
克劳利连珠炮似的对韦特骂个不停。
kè láo lì lián zhū páo sì de duì wéi tè mà gè bù tíng。
Crowley maintained a stream of invective and abuse against Waite.
2
他能感觉到珠子硌得手心生疼。
tā néng gǎn jué dào zhū zǐ luò dé shǒu xīn shēng téng。
He could feel the beads digging into his palm.
3
他擦去了额头上的汗珠。
tā cā qù le é tóu shàng de hàn zhū。
He wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead.
4
莫妮卡拿起她的伯罗圆珠笔，放在牙齿间转动着。
mò nī kǎ ná qǐ tā de bó luó yuán zhū bǐ， ， fàng zài yá chǐ jiān zhuǎn dòng。
Monica picked up her Biro and revolved it between her teeth.
5
她抬头看了我一眼，发际渗出细密的汗珠。
tā tái tóu kàn le wǒ yī yǎn， ， fā jì shèn chū xì mì de hàn。
She looked up at me with pinpricks of sweat along her hairline.
6
她的珠子项链和手镯在她走动时叮当作响。
tā de zhū zǐ xiàng liàn hé shǒu zhuó zài tā zǒu dòng shí dīng dāng zuò xiǎng。
Her bead necklaces and bracelets jangled as she walked.
It is an anthology that crackles with wit and wisdom.
Cultural Notes for 珠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, pearls are associated with purity and wisdom, often featured in traditional clothing and accessories. They also play a role in various legends and are considered auspicious symbols.
Word Family of 珠
Words Containing This Character19
珠宝zhūbǎopearls珠寶
珠zhūbead
珍珠zhēnzhūpearl
珠海Zhuhai prefecture level city in Guangdong province 廣東省|广东省[Guǎngdōngshěng] in south China
明珠pearl
珠江Pearl River (Guangdong)
珠子pearl
眼珠one's eyes
珠峰Mt Everest
海珠Haizhu district of Guangzhou city 廣州市|广州市[Guǎngzhōushì], Guangdong
珍珠港Pearl Harbor (Hawaii)
珠穆朗玛峰Mt Everest珠穆朗瑪峰
圆珠笔yuánzhūbǐballpoint pen圓珠筆
念珠rosary
汗珠beads of sweat
海珠区Haizhu district of Guangzhou city 廣州市|广州市[Guǎngzhōushì], Guangdong海珠區
珠江三角洲Pearl River Delta (PRD)
泪珠a teardrop淚珠
珠海市Zhuhai prefecture level city in Guangdong province 廣東省|广东省[Guǎngdōngshěng] in south China
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 珠宝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 珠
It's pronounced 'zhū' with a high and even tone.
Yes, it can refer to any bead or gem, but it most commonly denotes pearls.
珍珠 specifically means 'pearl', while 珠 can refer to any bead or gem.
