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海藻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
海藻hǎizǎoseaweedHSK 7, unknown, 29 strokes, rank #13792, Very Hard
海藻hǎizǎomarine algaHSK 7, unknown, 29 strokes, rank #13792, Very Hard
海藻hǎizǎokelpHSK 7, unknown, 29 strokes, rank #13792, Very Hard
hǎizǎo(hai3zao3)hai zao T3
  1. 1seaweed
  2. 2marine alga
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March 24, 2026

海藻hǎizǎo(hai3zao3)

海藻 (hǎizǎo) refers to various types of marine algae and seaweed found in oceans. It is commonly used in both culinary contexts, such as in sushi, and in ecological discussions about marine environments. The term can also imply a source of nutrition and health benefits due to its rich mineral content.

Strokes29Frequency#13792DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, particularly sushi and soups, 海藻 is a staple ingredient that reflects the importance of marine resources in coastal regions of China. It is also used in traditional medicine for its health benefits.

Memory tip

Imagine a vast ocean (海) filled with green wavy plants (藻) that sway in the water. The sound 'hai' is like the sound of waves, and 'zao' can remind you of 'sauce' as in sauces made from seaweed in cooking.

Meanings of 海藻

hǎizǎo(hai3zao3)
1seaweed
2marine alga
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About 海藻

海藻Simplified
29Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 海藻

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AI study notes for 海藻

Quick Contrast

海藻 (hǎizǎo) vs 藻类 (zǎolèi) — use 海藻 for specific types of seaweed, while 藻类 refers more broadly to algae, including freshwater varieties.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 海藻 with other plant-related terms like 草 (grass) or 植物 (plants). While 海藻 is specifically marine, these others can refer to land plants. It's more commonly used in informal contexts, especially in discussions about food.

HSK Study Tips

海藻 is not currently listed in HSK levels, but it relates to words like 海 (sea) and 藻类 (algal species). Focus on recognizing how this term is formed with its components related to nature, as it may appear alongside vocabulary about food and health in higher levels.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 海藻 to refer to all types of plants, when it specifically refers to marine algae. Instead of saying '我喜欢海藻和草', one should say '我喜欢海藻和其他植物' to clarify the distinction.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 海藻

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Component characters

海hǎiocean
HSK 310 strokes氵
View full entry
藻zǎosplendid, magnificent; algae
19 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say seaweed in Chinese

“seaweed” in Chinese is海藻hǎizǎo

海藻 (hǎizǎo) refers to various types of marine algae and seaweed found in oceans. It is commonly used in both culinary contexts, such as in sushi, and in ecological discussions about marine environments. The term can also imply a source of nutrition and health benefits due to its rich mineral content.

When to use 海藻

Learners often confuse 海藻 with other plant-related terms like 草 (grass) or 植物 (plants). While 海藻 is specifically marine, these others can refer to land plants. It's more commonly used in informal contexts, especially in discussions about food.

海藻 or something close to it

海藻 (hǎizǎo) vs 藻类 (zǎolèi) — use 海藻 for specific types of seaweed, while 藻类 refers more broadly to algae, including freshwater varieties.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is using 海藻 to refer to all types of plants, when it specifically refers to marine algae. Instead of saying '我喜欢海藻和草', one should say '我喜欢海藻和其他植物' to clarify the distinction.

Write 海藻

海
藻

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Frequently asked questions about 海藻

海藻 is commonly found in sushi, salads, and soups, particularly in Asian cuisines.

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