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胙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zuòmeat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestorsg, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, Very Hard
zuòto grant or bestowunknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, Very Hard
zuòsacrificial flesh offered to the gods (old)unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, Very Hard
zuòblessingunknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, Very Hard
zuòtitle of a sovereign (old)unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, Very Hard
zuò(zuo4) T4
  1. 1meat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestors
  2. 2to grant or bestow
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March 24, 2026
zuò(zuo4)

The character 胙 (zuò) primarily refers to meat that is offered as a sacrifice to ancestors or deities, symbolizing respect and honor. It can also mean to grant or bestow something, particularly in a formal context. This term often appears in historical or religious texts, emphasizing its traditional significance in Chinese culture.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, offerings such as 胙 were integral to ancestor worship, reflecting the deep respect for familial ties and the belief in the spiritual presence of ancestors during rituals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large piece of meat (represented by the radical 胙) being ceremoniously placed on an altar. Visualize a grand ceremony where the meat is offered to ancestors, and remember that 'zuò' sounds like 'zoo,' where animals might be sacrificed—though here it represents a respectful act toward loved ones.

Meanings of 胙

zuò(zuo4)
1meat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestors
2to grant or bestow
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 胙

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 胙

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AI Study Notes for 胙

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large piece of meat (represented by the radical 胙) being ceremoniously placed on an altar. Visualize a grand ceremony where the meat is offered to ancestors, and remember that 'zuò' sounds like 'zoo,' where animals might be sacrificed—though here it represents a respectful act toward loved ones.

Usage Notes

When using 胙, it is typically found in more formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common mistakes include conflating it with contemporary terms for food or offerings, so it's important to remember its historical context. Ensure to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing 'zuò' could change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 胙 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of respect and heritage found in HSK Level 5 and 6 words. Students should focus on understanding its implications in cultural practices, which can enhance their comprehension of more advanced texts.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, offerings such as 胙 were integral to ancestor worship, reflecting the deep respect for familial ties and the belief in the spiritual presence of ancestors during rituals.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 胙 with more common terms for food or offerings, which can dilute its specific meaning. For example, saying 胙 when referring to a modern meal is incorrect; instead, use 食物 (shíwù) for food.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 胙

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Etymology of 胙

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

meat

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 胙?

Decomposition of 胙

IDS Structure⿰⺼乍
Full Character
=
rou4
left
zha4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 胙?

Write 胙

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

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Cultural Notes for 胙

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, offerings such as 胙 were integral to ancestor worship, reflecting the deep respect for familial ties and the belief in the spiritual presence of ancestors during rituals.

Word Family of 胙

Words Containing This Character1
zuòblessing
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 胙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 胙

Use 胙 in contexts related to ancestor worship or discussions about historical sacrificial practices.