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笮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
笮zéboards that support roof tilesg, 11 strokes, radical ⺮
笮zéboard under tiles on roofunknown, 11 strokes, radical ⺮
笮zénarrowunknown, 11 strokes, radical ⺮
zé(ze2) T2
  1. 1boards that support roof tiles
  2. 2board under tiles on roof
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

笮zé(ze2)

The character 笮 (zé) refers to boards or planks that are used to support roof tiles in traditional Chinese architecture. This term is often encountered in discussions about building materials and construction methods, particularly in the context of historical buildings where tile roofs are prevalent.

Strokes11Radical⺮
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the architecture of buildings often reflects harmony with nature, and the use of tiles and their supporting boards is fundamental in maintaining the longevity and aesthetic of these structures.

Memory Tip

Imagine a narrow board supporting a roof, with the shape of 笮 resembling a roof with tiles on top. The 'Z' sound in 'zé' can be remembered as the 'Z' in 'zigzag' to symbolize how these boards lay beneath the tiles, forming a supportive structure.

Meanings of 笮

zé(ze2)
1boards that support roof tiles
2board under tiles on roof
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 笮

笮Simplified
11Strokes
⺮Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 笮

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Podcast: 笮

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AI Study Notes for 笮

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more relevant in formal or technical contexts related to architecture. Be careful not to confuse it with similar characters that also refer to structures or materials; context is key.

HSK Study Tips

Although 笮 is not included in the HSK levels, it can be connected to other vocabulary related to construction and architecture. Focus on understanding its usage in specific contexts rather than trying to use it in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 笮 due to unfamiliarity with its tone; ensure you emphasize the rising tone. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar-sounding words like 材 (cái), which means material, leading to incorrect usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 笮

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Etymology of 笮

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

bamboo

Semantic (meaning)⺮
+
Phonetic (sound)乍
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 笮

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half乍 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybamboo
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 笮? 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 笮?

Decomposition of 笮

IDS Structure⿱⺮乍
笮Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
乍zha4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 笮?

How to say boards that support roof tiles in Chinese

“boards that support roof tiles” in Chinese is笮zé

The character 笮 (zé) refers to boards or planks that are used to support roof tiles in traditional Chinese architecture. This term is often encountered in discussions about building materials and construction methods, particularly in the context of historical buildings where tile roofs are prevalent.

When to use 笮

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation, making it more relevant in formal or technical contexts related to architecture. Be careful not to confuse it with similar characters that also refer to structures or materials; context is key.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 笮 due to unfamiliarity with its tone; ensure you emphasize the rising tone. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar-sounding words like 材 (cái), which means material, leading to incorrect usage.

Write 笮

笮

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 笮

Words Containing This Character1
笮zénarrow
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 笮 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 笮

It is pronounced as 'zé' with a rising tone.

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