HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 王, rank #52229, Very Hard
琢
zhuó
to polish jade; to cut jade
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 王, rank #52229, Very Hard
琢
zuó
to cut (gems)
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 王, rank #52229, Very Hard
琢
zuó
to polish jade; to cut jade
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 王, rank #52229, Very Hard
zhuó(zhuo2)
primary
T2
1to cut (gems)
2to polish jade; to cut jade
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March 24, 2026
琢zhuó(zhuo2)
The verb 琢 (zhuó) means to cut or polish precious stones, particularly jade. It is commonly used in contexts involving craftsmanship and artistry, especially in traditional Chinese jade carving, where meticulous skill is required to shape and refine the material.
Strokes12Radical王Frequency#52229DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Jade holds significant cultural value in China, symbolizing purity and moral integrity. The process of 琢 (cutting and polishing jade) reflects the attention to detail and respect for materials that is foundational in traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a jeweler meticulously shaping a rough piece of jade into a beautiful gem. The character 琢 combines the radical for 'jade' (玉) with the action of cutting, reminding you that it's about transforming something raw into a refined piece of art. Think of the 'zhu' sound as the sound of a chisel striking jade.
Meanings of 琢
zhuó(zhuo2)
primary
1to cut (gems)
2to polish jade; to cut jade
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 琢
琢Simplified
12Strokes
王Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#52229Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 琢
Podcast: 琢
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AI Study Notes for 琢
Quick Contrast
琢 (zhuó) vs 切 (qiē) — use 琢 when emphasizing the polishing or refining process of stones, while 切 focuses more on the act of cutting or slicing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a jeweler meticulously shaping a rough piece of jade into a beautiful gem. The character 琢 combines the radical for 'jade' (玉) with the action of cutting, reminding you that it's about transforming something raw into a refined piece of art. Think of the 'zhu' sound as the sound of a chisel striking jade.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 琢, as it is often associated with formal craftsmanship rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include 琢磨 (to ponder or think deeply), which can lead to confusion with the pronunciation. Remember to use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 琢 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, its relation to other words like 玉 (jade) and 琢磨 (to ponder) can be useful for learners at higher levels. Focus on the character's usage in artistic contexts for a deeper understanding.
Cultural Note
Jade holds significant cultural value in China, symbolizing purity and moral integrity. The process of 琢 (cutting and polishing jade) reflects the attention to detail and respect for materials that is foundational in traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 琢 with 磨 due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '我琢这个石头' (I will 琢 this stone) instead of the more appropriate '我磨这个石头' (I will磨 this stone) can lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 琢
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Grammar Patterns of 琢
琢 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
我从不闲坐着____磨：“我接下来做什么呢？”
I never, ever sit around thinking, "What shall I do next?"
I never, ever sit around thinking, "What shall I do next?"
2
他这个人就爱在心里反复琢磨事儿。
tā zhè gè rén jiù ài zài xīn lǐ fǎn fù zhuó mó shì ér。
He tends to chew things over too much in his mind.
3
冬日琼装玉琢, 俏丽媚人.
dōng rì qióng zhuāng yù zhuó, , qiào lì mèi.
In winter, the wintry snow scenes can be likened to an exquisite jade carving.
Cultural Notes for 琢
🏮Cultural insight
Jade holds significant cultural value in China, symbolizing purity and moral integrity. The process of 琢 (cutting and polishing jade) reflects the attention to detail and respect for materials that is foundational in traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
Word Family of 琢
Words Containing This Character4
琢磨zhuómóto ponder
雕琢to sculpt
琢zhuóto ponder
切磋琢磨lit. cutting and polishing (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 琢磨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 琢
While 琢 is primarily associated with jade, it can also refer to the cutting and polishing of other precious stones.
琢 focuses on the cutting and shaping aspect, while 磨 (mó) generally refers to grinding or polishing.
It's more appropriate in formal or artistic contexts rather than casual conversation.
