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March 24, 2026
硃zhū(zhu1)
The character 硃 (zhū) refers to cinnabar, a bright red mineral often used in traditional Chinese medicine and art. It is also used to describe a specific type of red mole, emphasizing the color and its significance in cultural contexts. This word is frequently encountered in discussions about traditional Chinese practices and history.
Strokes11Radical石
Cultural Note
Cinnabar (硃) has been used in Chinese culture for thousands of years, not only as a pigment in art but also in traditional medicine, symbolizing vitality and longevity. Its bright red color is associated with good fortune and prosperity in Chinese New Year celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright red mole (like a tiny mountain) made of cinnabar, which is a mineral known for its striking red color. The character 硃 has a 'stone' radical (石) suggesting its mineral nature, while the '朱' component sounds like 'zhū', helping you remember both its pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 硃
zhū(zhu1)
1cinnabar; a red mole
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 硃
硃Simplified
11Strokes
石Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 硃
Podcast: 硃
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AI Study Notes for 硃
Usage Notes
It's common to confuse 硃 with similar-sounding words. Be cautious with tone, as the first tone (zhū) is crucial to avoid mixing it up with other characters. This word is more commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about minerals or traditional practices.
HSK Study Tips
Although 硃 is not part of the HSK list, learners at higher levels should recognize it when reading about traditional medicine or cultural artifacts. Focus on the context in which it appears to understand its significance and usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 硃 (zhū) with 朱 (zhū), which also relates to the color red but does not have the same mineral connotation. Ensure you are using the correct character based on context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 硃
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Based on the original meaning "tree trunk", now written as 株. Derivative of 木 (tree). The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
1The giveawayCinnabar 朱 ore 石; 朱 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 硃? 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 硃?
Decomposition of 硃
IDS Structure⿰石朱
硃Full Character
=
石dan4
left
朱Zhu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 硃?
How to say cinnabar; a red mole in Chinese
“cinnabar; a red mole” in Chinese is硃zhū
The character 硃 (zhū) refers to cinnabar, a bright red mineral often used in traditional Chinese medicine and art. It is also used to describe a specific type of red mole, emphasizing the color and its significance in cultural contexts. This word is frequently encountered in discussions about traditional Chinese practices and history.
When to use 硃
It's common to confuse 硃 with similar-sounding words. Be cautious with tone, as the first tone (zhū) is crucial to avoid mixing it up with other characters. This word is more commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about minerals or traditional practices.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 硃 (zhū) with 朱 (zhū), which also relates to the color red but does not have the same mineral connotation. Ensure you are using the correct character based on context.
Write 硃
硃
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Practice writing 硃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 硃
Words Containing This Character15
朱zhūcinnabar硃
朱广沪Zhu Guanghu (1949-), PRC soccer coach朱廣滬
朱丽叶Juliet or Juliette (name)朱麗葉
朱利安Julian or Julien (name)
朱诺Juneau, capital of Alaska朱諾
朱德Zhu De (1886-1976), communist leader and founder of the People's Liberation Army
朱元璋Zhu Yuanzhang, personal name of first Ming dynasty emperor Hongwu 洪武[Hóngwǔ]
朱镕基Zhu Rongji (1928-), PRC politician, premier 1998-2003朱鎔基
朱莉娅Julia (name)朱莉婭
朱丽亚Julia (name)朱麗亞
朱古力chocolate (loanword)
朱雀Vermilion Bird (the seven mansions of the south sky)
朱熹Zhu Xi or Chu Hsi (1130-1200), also known as Master Zhu 朱子, Song dynasty Confucian writer and propagandist, founder of neo-Confucianism
朱砂cinnabar
朱棣Zhu Di, personal name of third Ming Emperor Yongle 永樂|永乐[Yǒnglè]
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 朱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 硃
It refers to cinnabar, which is historically significant in traditional Chinese medicine and art.
It is primarily used in more formal contexts, especially related to traditional practices.
In certain contexts, you might encounter 朱 (zhū), which refers to the color red, but 硃 specifically denotes the mineral cinnabar.
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