Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
诏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
诏zhàoto proclaim, to decree; imperial decreeng, 7 strokes, radical 讠, rank #50189, Very Hard
诏zhàoimperial orderunknown, 7 strokes, radical 讠, rank #50189, Very Hard
zhào(zhao4) T4
  1. 1to proclaim, to decree; imperial decree
  2. 2imperial order
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

诏(詔)zhào(zhao4)

The character 诏 (zhào) refers to an official proclamation or decree, often associated with imperial authority in historical contexts. It conveys the idea of a formal announcement or command issued by someone in power, typically with significant implications.

Strokes7Radical讠Frequency#50189DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, the emperor’s decree was a powerful tool for governance, often issued to announce laws or changes. The character 诏 reflects the significance of written commands in the functioning of the imperial system.

Memory Tip

Imagine a royal figure standing on a balcony, shouting a decree to the people below. The character 诏 resembles a person (the top part) announcing something important, while the bottom part suggests written communication (as in a scroll). This visual helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 诏

zhào(zhao4)
1to proclaim, to decree; imperial decree
2imperial order
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 诏

诏Simplified
詔Traditional
7Strokes
讠Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 诏

JasonAmy

Podcast: 诏

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 诏

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 诏 is primarily used in formal or historical contexts, making it less common in everyday conversation. It often appears in phrases related to government or monarchy. Avoid using it in informal settings, where more common words for 'announce' or 'order' would be appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

While 诏 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of historical texts, especially those related to imperial China. Focus on recognizing its components and how it connects to other characters related to authority and announcements.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 诏 with other similar characters like 召 (zhào), which means 'to summon' or 'to call'. Remember, 诏 pertains specifically to decrees, while 召 is about calling someone or something.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 诏

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 诏 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 诏

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To issue 讠 a decree 召; 召 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 诏

  1. 1The giveawayTo issue 讠 a decree 召; 召 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 诏? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 诏?

Decomposition of 诏

IDS Structure⿰讠召
诏Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
召Shao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 诏?

How to say to proclaim, to decree; imperial decree in Chinese

“to proclaim, to decree; imperial decree” in Chinese is诏zhào

The character 诏 (zhào) refers to an official proclamation or decree, often associated with imperial authority in historical contexts. It conveys the idea of a formal announcement or command issued by someone in power, typically with significant implications.

When to use 诏

Be mindful that 诏 is primarily used in formal or historical contexts, making it less common in everyday conversation. It often appears in phrases related to government or monarchy. Avoid using it in informal settings, where more common words for 'announce' or 'order' would be appropriate.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 诏 with other similar characters like 召 (zhào), which means 'to summon' or 'to call'. Remember, 诏 pertains specifically to decrees, while 召 is about calling someone or something.

Write 诏

诏

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 诏

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[Zhāng​zhōu], Fujian詔安
诏安县Zhao'an county in Zhangzhou 漳州[Zhāng​zhōu], 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 诏

You can say '皇帝下诏' (Huángdì xià zhào), which means 'The emperor issued a decree.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 诏?

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.