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March 24, 2026
乍zhà(zha4)
The character 乍 (zhà) conveys the idea of something happening suddenly or for the first time. It is commonly used to describe abrupt actions or experiences, such as a sudden change in situation or a first encounter with something unfamiliar.
Strokes5Radical丿Frequency#15204DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, 乍 is often used to describe sudden realizations or moments of enlightenment, reflecting the cultural appreciation for unexpected insights in storytelling.
Memory Tip
Imagine a startled cat (乍) that jumps up with its fur standing on end when it sees a sudden movement. The shape of the character resembles the startled stance, emphasizing the concept of suddenness and surprise.
Meanings of 乍
zhà(zha4)
1first time, for the first time, suddenly
2at first
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 乍
乍Simplified
5Strokes
丿Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 乍
Podcast: 乍
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AI Study Notes for 乍
Quick Contrast
突然 (tūrán) - use 乍 when emphasizing the first occurrence or an initial surprise, while 突然 focuses more on the unexpected nature of an event.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a startled cat (乍) that jumps up with its fur standing on end when it sees a sudden movement. The shape of the character resembles the startled stance, emphasizing the concept of suddenness and surprise.
Usage Notes
While 乍 is often used in informal contexts, it can appear in literary works to convey a dramatic moment. A common mistake is to confuse it with 突然 (tūrán), which also means 'suddenly' but lacks the nuance of first-time experiences.
HSK Study Tips
Although 乍 is not included in the official HSK levels, it relates to other words indicating suddenness or initial experiences. Students should focus on its usage in context to grasp subtle variations in meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, 乍 is often used to describe sudden realizations or moments of enlightenment, reflecting the cultural appreciation for unexpected insights in storytelling.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 乍 by confusing it with other similar-sounding characters like 扎 (zhā), which means 'to pierce.' Remember that 乍 has a distinct tone and meaning related to suddenness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 乍
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Grammar Patterns of 乍
乍 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
天气____晴乍雨.
Nature alternate sunshine with rain.
Example Sentences for 乍 (1)
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1
天气乍晴乍雨.
tiān qì zhà qíng zhà yǔ.
Nature alternate sunshine with rain.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
Nature alternate sunshine with rain.
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Cultural Notes for 乍
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, 乍 is often used to describe sudden realizations or moments of enlightenment, reflecting the cultural appreciation for unexpected insights in storytelling.
Word Family of 乍
Words Containing This Character8
乍zhàat first
初来乍到to be a newcomer初來乍到
乍得Chad
乍看at first glance
乍浦Zhapu town and port on north of Hangzhou Bay 杭州灣|杭州湾 in Zhejiang
新来乍到newly arrived (idiom)新來乍到
乍得湖Lake Chad
乍浦镇Zhapu town and port on north of Hangzhou Bay 杭州灣|杭州湾 in Zhejiang乍浦鎮
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 乍 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 乍
You can say '乍一看，这个地方很美' (At first glance, this place is beautiful) to illustrate the sudden realization.
It is primarily used in informal contexts or literary works, so it's best to be cautious in formal writing.
Not exactly; while both mean 'suddenly,' 乍 often implies a first-time experience, whereas 突然 focuses solely on the abruptness.
