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March 24, 2026
詔zhào(zhao4)
The character 詔 (zhào) refers to a formal proclamation or decree, often issued by a ruler or authority. It is typically used in historical or literary contexts, emphasizing the significance and ceremonial nature of such announcements.
Strokes12Radical言Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, imperial decrees were vital for governance, reflecting the emperor's authority and the Confucian value of hierarchy. The use of 詔 in historical texts underscores the centralized power of the emperor in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a king standing on a balcony, holding a scroll with a decree. The scroll has a large 'Z' at the top, representing 'zhào'. The sound 'zhào' can remind you of 'shout,' as the king proclaims his decree to the people below.
Meanings of 詔
zhào(zhao4)
1to proclaim, to decree; imperial decree
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About 詔
詔Simplified
12Strokes
言Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 詔
Podcast: 詔
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AI Study Notes for 詔
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a king standing on a balcony, holding a scroll with a decree. The scroll has a large 'Z' at the top, representing 'zhào'. The sound 'zhào' can remind you of 'shout,' as the king proclaims his decree to the people below.
Usage Notes
詔 is primarily used in formal or literary contexts, so it is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Be cautious with tone; the first tone in 'zhào' is important to distinguish it from other similar-sounding words. Common collocations include 詔書 (zhàoshū, decree document) and 皇詔 (huángzhào, imperial decree).
HSK Study Tips
詔 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects with characters related to governance and authority, such as 政 (zhèng, politics) and 法 (fǎ, law). Students should focus on recognizing its historical significance and context.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, imperial decrees were vital for governance, reflecting the emperor's authority and the Confucian value of hierarchy. The use of 詔 in historical texts underscores the centralized power of the emperor in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 詔 with similar characters like 召 (zhào, to summon) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 詔 is specifically about formal decrees, while 召 is about calling someone.
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Pronunciation of 詔
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Cultural Notes for 詔
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, imperial decrees were vital for governance, reflecting the emperor's authority and the Confucian value of hierarchy. The use of 詔 in historical texts underscores the centralized power of the emperor in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 詔
Words Containing This Character12
诏zhàoimperial order詔
诏书edict詔書
下诏to hand down an imperial edict下詔
诏令imperial order詔令
南诏Nanzhao kingdom 738-937 in southwest China and southeast Asia南詔
遗诏posthumous edict (of former emperor)遺詔
诏安Zhao'an county in Zhangzhou 漳州[Zhāngzhōu], Fujian詔安
诏安县Zhao'an county in Zhangzhou 漳州[Zhāngzhōu], Fujian詔安縣
密诏secret imperial edict密詔
诏旨an Imperial edict詔旨
诏谕imperial decree詔諭
应诏to respond to an imperial decree應詔
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 诏 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 詔
詔 refers specifically to formal proclamations or decrees, usually from a ruler, while 命令 means orders or commands that can be issued by anyone in authority.
No, 詔 is mostly found in historical texts or literature, and is not used in everyday conversation.
You can think of 'zhào' as similar to 'shout,' as both involve making a proclamation.
