Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
肇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
肇
zhào
to begin, to start; to originate
ns, 14 strokes, radical 聿
肇
zhào
at first
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 聿
肇
zhào
devise
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 聿
肇
zhào
originate
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 聿
zhào(zhao4)zhao T4
1to begin, to start; to originate
2at first
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 肇 means.
About 肇
肇Simplified
14Strokes
聿Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 肇
Podcast: 肇
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 肇
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 肇 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 肇 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How well do you know 肇?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 肇 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
How to say to begin, to start; to originate in Chinese
“to begin, to start; to originate” in Chinese is肇zhào
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.
When to use 肇
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 肇
肇
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 肇 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Ask Jason
Have a question about 肇?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
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
Words with 肇
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.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 肇?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
