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主宰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
主宰zhǔzǎito dominateHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7736, Very Hard
主宰zhǔzǎito ruleHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7736, Very Hard
主宰zhǔzǎito dictateHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7736, Very Hard
主宰zhǔzǎimasterHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7736, Very Hard
zhǔzǎi(zhu3zai3)zhu zai T3
  1. 1to dominate
  2. 2to rule
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March 24, 2026

主宰zhǔzǎi(zhu3zai3)

The term '主宰' (zhǔzǎi) refers to the act of dominating or ruling over something or someone. It conveys a sense of authority and control, often in contexts such as leadership, governance, or influence in various fields, including politics, business, and personal relationships.

Strokes15Frequency#7736DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '主宰' is often linked to authority figures such as emperors and leaders who were seen as the ultimate decision-makers, reflecting the historical significance of hierarchical structures in society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a king (主) sitting on a throne, with a scepter (宰) in hand, commanding his kingdom. This imagery helps you remember that '主' means 'master' or 'lord,' and '宰' relates to ruling or governing, thus forming the idea of someone who dominates.

Meanings of 主宰

zhǔzǎi(zhu3zai3)
1to dominate
2to rule
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About 主宰

主宰Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 主宰

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AI Study Notes for 主宰

Quick Contrast

统治 (tǒngzhì) - use 主宰 (zhǔzǎi) for a more personal or influential sense of control, while 统治 (tǒngzhì) implies a more formal or governmental rule.

Usage Notes

'主宰' is more formal and is often used in written contexts or serious discussions. Be cautious with tone usage, as it is pronounced with a third tone for both characters, which may lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. A common collocation is '主宰命运' (zhǔzǎi mìngyùn), meaning 'to dictate fate.'

HSK Study Tips

While '主宰' is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be connected to themes of power and control, common in HSK Level 5 and beyond. Students should focus on understanding its application in governance and leadership contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '主宰' with '主导' (zhǔdǎo), which means 'to lead' or 'to guide.' For instance, saying '他是这个项目的主导' (tā shì zhège xiàngmù de zhǔdǎo) is correct, but using '主宰' would imply he has absolute control, which may not be intended.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 主宰

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Component Characters

主zhǔowner
HSK 75 strokes丶
View full entry
宰zǎito slaughter livestock
HSK 710 strokes宀
View full entry

How to say to dominate in Chinese

“to dominate” in Chinese is主宰zhǔzǎi

The term '主宰' (zhǔzǎi) refers to the act of dominating or ruling over something or someone. It conveys a sense of authority and control, often in contexts such as leadership, governance, or influence in various fields, including politics, business, and personal relationships.

When to use 主宰

'主宰' is more formal and is often used in written contexts or serious discussions. Be cautious with tone usage, as it is pronounced with a third tone for both characters, which may lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. A common collocation is '主宰命运' (zhǔzǎi mìngyùn), meaning 'to dictate fate.'

主宰 or something close to it

统治 (tǒngzhì) - use 主宰 (zhǔzǎi) for a more personal or influential sense of control, while 统治 (tǒngzhì) implies a more formal or governmental rule.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '主宰' with '主导' (zhǔdǎo), which means 'to lead' or 'to guide.' For instance, saying '他是这个项目的主导' (tā shì zhège xiàngmù de zhǔdǎo) is correct, but using '主宰' would imply he has absolute control, which may not be intended.

Write 主宰

主
宰

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

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Cultural Notes for 主宰

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the idea of dominance often carries a more negative connotation, focusing on oppression, whereas '主宰' can imply a more neutral or even positive authority depending on the context.

Frequently Asked Questions about 主宰

'主宰' is typically used in more formal contexts; in casual conversations, you might choose simpler words like '控制' (kòngzhì) which means 'to control.'

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