Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
糌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zānzanba, barley breadn, 15 strokes, radical 米, Very Hard
zānzanba, Tibetan barley breadunknown, 15 strokes, radical 米, Very Hard
zān(zan1) T1
  1. 1zanba, barley bread
  2. 2zanba, Tibetan barley bread
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
zān(zan1)

The character 糌 (zān) refers to a type of barley bread known as zanba, commonly consumed in some regions of China and Tibet. It's typically made from roasted barley flour and has cultural significance in Tibetan cuisine, often served during meals or as a staple food item.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Tibetan culture, zanba is not just food but a symbol of sustenance and hospitality. It is often served with butter tea and can be a part of traditional rituals and gatherings.

Memory Tip

Think of 糌 (zān) as a 'zan' of barley bread. The character has the rice radical (米), which hints at food, and the component '干' (gān), suggesting something dry or solid, like bread. Imagine a warm, comforting loaf of barley bread to remember its meaning.

Meanings of 糌

zān(zan1)
1zanba, barley bread
2zanba, Tibetan barley bread
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 糌

Simplified
15Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 糌

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 糌

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 糌 (zān) as a 'zan' of barley bread. The character has the rice radical (米), which hints at food, and the component '干' (gān), suggesting something dry or solid, like bread. Imagine a warm, comforting loaf of barley bread to remember its meaning.

Usage Notes

糌 is often used in culinary contexts, specifically related to Tibetan or regional food. Be mindful of its usage; it might not be widely recognized outside specific cultural discussions. Common collocations include 糌粑 (zān bā), referring to the barley bread itself.

HSK Study Tips

糌 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list. However, it can be beneficial for learners interested in regional foods or Tibetan culture. Focus on recognition and pronunciation to understand its unique cultural context.

Cultural Note

In Tibetan culture, zanba is not just food but a symbol of sustenance and hospitality. It is often served with butter tea and can be a part of traditional rituals and gatherings.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 糌 (zān) with similar-sounding words or characters. For example, mixing it up with the character for rice (米, mǐ) is a common error. Remember that 糌 specifically refers to barley bread.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 糌

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 糌

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

grain

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 糌?

Decomposition of 糌

IDS Structure⿰米昝
Full Character
=
Mi3
left
Zan3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 糌?

Write 糌

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 糌

🏮Cultural insight

In Tibetan culture, zanba is not just food but a symbol of sustenance and hospitality. It is often served with butter tea and can be a part of traditional rituals and gatherings.

Word Family of 糌

Words Containing This Character2
糌粑tsamba, Tibetan barley bread
zānzanba, Tibetan barley bread
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 糌粑 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 糌

Zanba is made from roasted barley flour, which is common in Tibetan cuisine.