Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
锆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锆gàozirconiumnrt, 12 strokes, radical 钅, rank #27758, Very Hard
锆gàozirconium (chemistry)unknown, 12 strokes, radical 钅, rank #27758, Very Hard
gào(gao4) T4
  1. 1zirconium
  2. 2zirconium (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

锆(鋯)gào(gao4)

锆 (gào) refers to zirconium, a chemical element often used in various industrial applications, including ceramics and nuclear reactors. It is valued for its high resistance to corrosion and heat, making it essential in specialized fields such as materials science and chemistry.

Strokes12Radical钅Frequency#27758DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, metals and their properties often relate to traditional beliefs about elements and their balance, reflecting a deeper connection to nature and science. Zirconium's role in modern technology aligns with China's advancements in industrial capabilities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'guy' (sounds like 'gào') who is 'zipping' around in a high-tech suit made of zirconium, which shines brightly due to its unique properties. The character 锆 looks like a 'gate' (门) with a 'sparkle' (火) beside it, symbolizing its industrial strength and utility.

Meanings of 锆

gào(gao4)
1zirconium
2zirconium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 锆

锆Simplified
鋯Traditional
12Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 锆

JasonAmy

Podcast: 锆

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 锆

Usage Notes

When discussing materials or elements in a scientific context, it's essential to use the correct terminology. Common mistakes include confusing 锆 with similar-sounding elements. Remember to use formal language in academic discussions.

HSK Study Tips

While 锆 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of chemical terms. Focus on related vocabulary in the sciences to build a comprehensive understanding of materials and their properties.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 锆 with other similar-sounding elements, leading to errors in communication. For example, mistakenly saying 锆 instead of 钛 (tài, titanium) can cause confusion in scientific discussions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锆

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 锆 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 锆

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 告 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鋯.

Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)告
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 锆

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 告 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鋯.

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half告 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymetal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 锆? 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 锆?

Decomposition of 锆

IDS Structure⿰钅告
锆Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
告gao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 锆?

How to say zirconium in Chinese

“zirconium” in Chinese is锆gào

锆 (gào) refers to zirconium, a chemical element often used in various industrial applications, including ceramics and nuclear reactors. It is valued for its high resistance to corrosion and heat, making it essential in specialized fields such as materials science and chemistry.

When to use 锆

When discussing materials or elements in a scientific context, it's essential to use the correct terminology. Common mistakes include confusing 锆 with similar-sounding elements. Remember to use formal language in academic discussions.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 锆 with other similar-sounding elements, leading to errors in communication. For example, mistakenly saying 锆 instead of 钛 (tài, titanium) can cause confusion in scientific discussions.

Write 锆

锆

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 锆

锆 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

普通的陶瓷元件分别是钛酸钡和____钛酸铅.

Common ceramic elements are barium titanate and lead zirconate - titanate.

Example Sentences for 锆 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
普通的陶瓷元件分别是钛酸钡和锆钛酸铅.

pǔ tōng de táo cí yuán jiàn fēn bié shì tài suān bèi hé gào tài suān qiān.

Common ceramic elements are barium titanate and lead zirconate - titanate.
2
文中主要探讨了镁锆质浇注料抗渣渗透性机理.

wén zhōng zhǔ yào tàn tǎo le měi gào zhì jiāo zhù liào kàng zhā shèn tòu xìng jī lǐ.

The mechanism of slag penetration resistance was emphatically studied in this work.

Word Family of 锆

Words Containing This Character1
锆gàozirconium (chemistry)鋯
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 锆 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 锆

锆 is primarily used in industrial applications, especially in ceramics and as a material for nuclear reactors.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 锆?

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.