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March 24, 2026
肇zhào(zhao4)
The character 肇 (zhào) means to begin, to start, or to originate. It is often used in contexts where something is initiated or where origins are discussed. In a more formal context, it can also imply devising or creating something new.
Strokes14Radical聿Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'beginning' is often linked to traditional practices like the New Year, where starting anew is celebrated, making肇an important character in discussing origins and new beginnings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person starting a race (肇) with a loud 'Go!' (the sound 'zhào' resembles the start of a race). The character has the radical 肉 (ròu), which relates to flesh, symbolizing the physical aspect of beginning something tangible.
Meanings of 肇
zhào(zhao4)
1to begin, to start; to originate
2at first
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 肇
肇Simplified
14Strokes
聿Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 肇
Podcast: 肇
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AI Study Notes for 肇
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person starting a race (肇) with a loud 'Go!' (the sound 'zhào' resembles the start of a race). The character has the radical 肉 (ròu), which relates to flesh, symbolizing the physical aspect of beginning something tangible.
Usage Notes
肇 is often used in formal contexts, so learners should be cautious not to use it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 肇始 (zhàoshǐ - to initiate) and 肇因 (zhàoyīn - origin). Watch out for tone mistakes, as incorrect pronunciation can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 肇 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other words related to beginnings and creation. Focus on recognizing its usage in formal texts and its combinations with other characters that imply initiation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'beginning' is often linked to traditional practices like the New Year, where starting anew is celebrated, making肇an important character in discussing origins and new beginnings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 肇 with similar-sounding characters like 照 (zhào - to shine). For example, saying '肇相' instead of '照相' (to take a photo) is incorrect. Focus on the context of usage to avoid these mix-ups.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 肇
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Cultural Notes for 肇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'beginning' is often linked to traditional practices like the New Year, where starting anew is celebrated, making肇an important character in discussing origins and new beginnings.
Word Family of 肇
Words Containing This Character17
肇事zhàoshìto cause an accident
肇事者offender
肇zhàoat first
李肇星Li Zhaoxing (1940-), former PRC foreign minister
肇庆Zhaoqing prefecture level city in Guangdong province 廣東省|广东省[Guǎngdōngshěng] in south China肇慶
肇庆市Zhaoqing prefecture level city in Guangdong province 廣東省|广东省[Guǎngdōngshěng] in south China肇慶市
肇始to initiate
丁肇中Samuel C. C. Ting (1936-), American physicist, 1976 Nobel Prize laureate in physics
肇东Zhaodong county level city in Suihua 綏化|绥化, Heilongjiang肇東
肇东市Zhaodong county level city in Suihua 綏化|绥化, Heilongjiang肇東市
肇源Zhaoyuan county in Daqing 大慶|大庆[Dàqìng], Heilongjiang
肇祸to cause an accident肇禍
肇源县Zhaoyuan county in Daqing 大慶|大庆[Dàqìng], Heilongjiang肇源縣
肇州县Zhaozhou county in Daqing 大慶|大庆[Dàqìng], Heilongjiang肇州縣
肇州Zhaozhou county in Daqing 大慶|大庆[Dàqìng], Heilongjiang
肇庆地区Zhaoqing prefecture in Guangdong肇慶地區
肇庆大学Zhaoqing University (Guangdong)肇慶大學
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 肇事 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 肇
Common phrases include 肇始 (zhàoshǐ - to initiate) and 肇因 (zhàoyīn - origin).
No, 肇 is more commonly found in formal writing or discussions, rather than in daily conversation.
It is pronounced with the fourth tone, 'zhào', similar to 'shout' but with a lower pitch.
