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March 24, 2026
嘱(囑)zhǔ(zhu3)
The character 嘱 (zhǔ) means to enjoin or to urge someone to do something. It conveys a sense of strong recommendation, instruction, or imploring, often in contexts where guidance or a serious request is necessary, such as in wills or important advice.
Strokes15Radical口Frequency#44818DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of urging or instructing is often seen as a way to show concern and care, especially in familial or mentor-mentee relationships. This is particularly evident in the practice of writing last wishes or advice in a will, where the term 嘱 is often utilized.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise elder (the radical '口' for mouth) urging their grandchild (the radical '囗' for enclosure) to remember their important instructions. The sound 'zhǔ' can remind you of 'urge' as you picture the elder passionately stressing their point.
Meanings of 嘱
zhǔ(zhu3)
1to enjoin
2to implore
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 嘱
嘱Simplified
囑Traditional
15Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#44818Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嘱
Podcast: 嘱
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AI Study Notes for 嘱
Quick Contrast
嘱 (urge) vs 嘱托 (entrust) — use 嘱 when emphasizing the act of urging someone directly, while 嘱托 implies a sense of entrusting a responsibility or task.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise elder (the radical '口' for mouth) urging their grandchild (the radical '囗' for enclosure) to remember their important instructions. The sound 'zhǔ' can remind you of 'urge' as you picture the elder passionately stressing their point.
Usage Notes
嘱 is often used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or serious conversations. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use the correct tone, as it is pronounced with the third tone (zhǔ). Common collocations include 嘱咐 (to instruct) and 嘱托 (to entrust).
HSK Study Tips
While嘱 is not included in the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with themes of communication and instruction found in HSK levels 3 and 4. Focus on its usage in formal contexts and learn related terms like 嘱咐 to enhance your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of urging or instructing is often seen as a way to show concern and care, especially in familial or mentor-mentee relationships. This is particularly evident in the practice of writing last wishes or advice in a will, where the term 嘱 is often utilized.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嘱 with similar characters like 祝 (to wish) and use it in inappropriate contexts. For example, saying '我祝你成功' (I urge you to succeed) should be corrected to '我嘱你成功', as the latter conveys a stronger sense of instruction.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嘱
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Grammar Patterns of 嘱
嘱 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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.
Doctors and nurses, to say theirss goodbyes and give orders.
9
老人的遗嘱已被窜改.
lǎo rén de yí zhǔ yǐ bèi cuàn gǎi.
The old man's will has been tampered with.
Cultural Notes for 嘱
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of urging or instructing is often seen as a way to show concern and care, especially in familial or mentor-mentee relationships. This is particularly evident in the practice of writing last wishes or advice in a will, where the term 嘱 is often utilized.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of giving instructions or advice may be less formalized and can be perceived as a personal choice rather than a cultural obligation, unlike the emphasis placed on such duties in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 嘱
Words Containing This Character7
遗嘱yízhǔwill遺囑
嘱咐zhǔfùto tell囑咐
叮嘱dīngzhǔto urge叮囑
嘱zhǔto enjoin囑
医嘱doctor's advice醫囑
嘱托to entrust a task to sb else囑託
千叮万嘱repeatedly urging千叮萬囑
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 遗嘱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嘱
嘱 is more commonly found in formal or written contexts rather than casual conversations, where simpler verbs might be used.
Yes, but it is typically reserved for more serious or important advice, not casual recommendations.
