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March 24, 2026
侏zhū(zhu1)
The character 侏 (zhū) refers to something that is small or tiny, often used in the context of describing a dwarf or something that is diminutive in size. It can denote a sense of being lesser or smaller than the average, commonly used in literature and discussions about size differences.
Strokes8Radical亻Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of dwarfs or small stature has been historically depicted in folklore and literature, sometimes symbolizing unique talents or characteristics. The character might appear in stories that highlight the strengths of those who appear physically small.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'tiny' person who is 'dwarfed' by others, and imagine a small 'zoo' where all the animals are miniatures. The character 侏 resembles a person (亻) standing next to a smaller figure, emphasizing the concept of being small or dwarf-like.
Meanings of 侏
zhū(zhu1)
1small, tiny; dwarf
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 侏
侏Simplified
8Strokes
亻Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 侏
Podcast: 侏
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AI Study Notes for 侏
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a 'tiny' person who is 'dwarfed' by others, and imagine a small 'zoo' where all the animals are miniatures. The character 侏 resembles a person (亻) standing next to a smaller figure, emphasizing the concept of being small or dwarf-like.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in literary contexts and may sound formal in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; ensure the pronunciation is clear to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include 侏儒 (zhūrú), meaning 'dwarf.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 侏 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for students at HSK level 4 and above to familiarize themselves with descriptive terms. Focus on using it in context with other size-related vocabulary, such as 小 (small) and 矮 (short).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of dwarfs or small stature has been historically depicted in folklore and literature, sometimes symbolizing unique talents or characteristics. The character might appear in stories that highlight the strengths of those who appear physically small.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 侏 with the character 矮 (ǎi), which means short but does not carry the same connotation of dwarfism. For example, saying '她很侏' (Tā hěn zhū) to mean 'She is short' is incorrect; it should be '她很矮' (Tā hěn ǎi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 侏
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Cultural Notes for 侏
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of dwarfs or small stature has been historically depicted in folklore and literature, sometimes symbolizing unique talents or characteristics. The character might appear in stories that highlight the strengths of those who appear physically small.
Word Family of 侏
Words Containing This Character3
侏儒dwarf
侏罗纪Jurassic (geological period 205-140m years ago)侏羅紀
侏zhūdwarf
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 侏儒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 侏
No, 侏 is more often found in literary contexts and less common in casual speech.
侏 specifically refers to someone being a dwarf, while 矮 simply means short and can refer to height in general.
While it primarily describes people, it can also be used metaphorically for objects that are small or tiny.
