Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
佔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
佔zhànto possess, to usurp, to take by forcezg, 7 strokes, radical 亻
zhàn(zhan4)zhan T4
  1. 1to possess, to usurp, to take by force
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

佔zhàn(zhan4)

The character 佔 (zhàn) means to possess or occupy something, often implying taking control or usurping it by force. It is commonly used in contexts such as occupying land, resources, or positions. The nuance suggests a sense of assertiveness or dominance in the act of taking possession.

Strokes7Radical亻
Cultural note

In Chinese history, land ownership and territorial control have been significant, leading to various conflicts. The concept of 佔 can be seen in historical events where territories were claimed during dynastic expansions or wars.

Memory tip

Imagine a giant hand (the character's radical 亻, meaning 'person') grabbing a piece of land (the character's component 占). Picture this hand saying 'Zhan!' as it forcefully claims the land, helping you remember both the sound and meaning of the character.

Meanings of 佔

zhàn(zhan4)
1to possess, to usurp, to take by force
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 佔 means.

About 佔

佔Simplified
7Strokes
亻Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 佔

JasonAmy

Podcast: 佔

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 佔

Quick Contrast

占 (zhàn) vs 占有 (zhànyǒu) — use 占 when focusing on the act of occupying, while 占有 emphasizes the aspect of possession or ownership.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing zhàn, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. This character is often used in formal contexts, such as legal or political discussions. Common collocations include 佔有 (zhànyǒu - to possess) and 佔領 (zhànlǐng - to occupy).

HSK Study Tips

Although 佔 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to possession and territory, such as 占据 (zhànjù - to occupy). Focus on understanding its usage in context, especially in phrases involving land or resources.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 佔 (zhàn) with 站 (zhàn), which means 'to stand.' For example, saying '我佔在这里' (Wǒ zhàn zài zhèlǐ) instead of '我站在这里' (Wǒ zhàn zài zhèlǐ) leads to incorrect meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 佔

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 佔 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 佔 to you

Let me explain 佔 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 佔 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 佔?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 佔 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 佔

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

In ancient China fortune-tellers made cracks (卜) and holes (口) in turtle shells for the purpose of divination.

Memory hint

person

Semantic (meaning)亻
+
Phonetic (sound)占
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

佔 = 亻 + 占. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 佔

IDS Structure⿰亻占
佔Full character
=
亻ren2
left
占zhan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 佔?

How to say to possess, to usurp, to take by force in Chinese

“to possess, to usurp, to take by force” in Chinese is佔zhàn

The character 佔 (zhàn) means to possess or occupy something, often implying taking control or usurping it by force. It is commonly used in contexts such as occupying land, resources, or positions. The nuance suggests a sense of assertiveness or dominance in the act of taking possession.

When to use 佔

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing zhàn, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. This character is often used in formal contexts, such as legal or political discussions. Common collocations include 佔有 (zhànyǒu - to possess) and 佔領 (zhànlǐng - to occupy).

佔 or something close to it

占 (zhàn) vs 占有 (zhànyǒu) — use 占 when focusing on the act of occupying, while 占有 emphasizes the aspect of possession or ownership.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 佔 (zhàn) with 站 (zhàn), which means 'to stand.' For example, saying '我佔在这里' (Wǒ zhàn zài zhèlǐ) instead of '我站在这里' (Wǒ zhàn zài zhèlǐ) leads to incorrect meaning.

Write 佔

佔

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 佔?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 佔

Words containing this character20
占zhànto occupy
占据zhànjùto occupy佔據
占领zhànlǐngto hold佔領
占用zhànyòngto occupy佔用
占有zhànyǒuto have佔有
霸占bàzhànto seize霸佔
侵占qīnzhànto invade and occupy (territory)侵佔
占卜zhānbǔto divine
独占to monopolize獨佔
抢占to seize (the strategic high ground)搶佔
攻占(fig.) to take by storm
占便宜advantageous佔便宜
占上风to take the lead佔上風
占线zhànxiànbusy (telephone line)佔線
拜占庭Byzantium
占优势to predominate佔優勢
占地to take up space
挤占to seize擠占
强占qiángzhànto occupy by force強佔
占星术astrology占星術
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 佔

What does 占 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 佔

You can say '他佔了很多土地' (Tā zhànle hěnduō tǔdì) meaning 'He occupies a lot of land.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 佔?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab