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甴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
甴zhácockroachx, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #55536, Very Hard
zhá(zha2)zha T2
  1. 1cockroach
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March 24, 2026

甴zhá(zha2)

The character 甴 (zhá) specifically refers to a cockroach, a common insect known for its resilience and ability to thrive in various environments. It is often used in informal contexts, particularly in discussions about pests or hygiene, and can evoke feelings of disgust or annoyance due to the nature of the insect.

Strokes5Radical田Frequency#55536DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In some Chinese cities, cockroaches are associated with poor sanitation and can be a source of embarrassment for homeowners, highlighting the importance of cleanliness in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a cockroach scurrying away when you turn on the light, making a sound that resembles 'zhá.' The character 甴 has components that can be linked to dirt or uncleanliness, reinforcing the idea of this pest lurking in dark corners.

Meanings of 甴

zhá(zha2)
1cockroach
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 甴

甴Simplified
5Strokes
田Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 甴

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Podcast: 甴

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AI study notes for 甴

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 甴 (zhá) uses the second tone, which can be confused with other characters. It's generally used in informal contexts, so be aware of the setting when discussing pests. The phrase 曱甴 (yue1 zha2) is a colloquial term for cockroaches in some regions.

HSK Study Tips

While 甴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding its context can help you with words related to pests or insects. Focus on related vocabulary like bugs or cleanliness, as these can often appear in conversational scenarios.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 甴 (zhá) with similar-sounding characters. For example, mixing it up with 乍 (zhà) which means 'suddenly.' Always remember the context of insects when using 甴.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 甴

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Etymology of 甴

Decomposition of 甴

IDS Structure⿻囗?
甴Full character
=
囗wei2
outer
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 甴?

How to say cockroach in Chinese

“cockroach” in Chinese is甴zhá

The character 甴 (zhá) specifically refers to a cockroach, a common insect known for its resilience and ability to thrive in various environments. It is often used in informal contexts, particularly in discussions about pests or hygiene, and can evoke feelings of disgust or annoyance due to the nature of the insect.

When to use 甴

Be cautious with the tone; 甴 (zhá) uses the second tone, which can be confused with other characters. It's generally used in informal contexts, so be aware of the setting when discussing pests. The phrase 曱甴 (yue1 zha2) is a colloquial term for cockroaches in some regions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 甴 (zhá) with similar-sounding characters. For example, mixing it up with 乍 (zhà) which means 'suddenly.' Always remember the context of insects when using 甴.

Write 甴

甴

Practice writing 甴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 甴

Words containing this character1
甴zhá(dialect) cockroach

Frequently asked questions about 甴

甴 refers specifically to the cockroach, while 曱甴 is a colloquial term often used more commonly in conversation.

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