HSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 宀, rank #40845, Hard
zhòu(zhou4)zhou T4
1universe
2space, time, space-time
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March 24, 2026
宙zhòu(zhou4)
The character 宙 (zhòu) refers to the concepts of the universe, space, and time. It is often used in contexts related to astronomy and philosophy, encompassing ideas of eternity and the vastness of existence. In geology, it denotes long periods of time, such as an eon.
Strokes8Radical宀Frequency#40845DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 宙 connects deeply to Chinese cosmology, which views the universe as a harmonious whole, emphasizing balance between heaven and earth. It reflects the traditional Chinese understanding of the interconnectedness of all things in the universe.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant clock in the universe with stars and planets spinning around it, representing both time and space. The character 宙 has components that suggest a house (宀) over a vast expanse (由), symbolizing the dwelling place of the universe.
Meanings of 宙
zhòu(zhou4)
1universe
2space, time, space-time
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 宙 means.
About 宙
宙Simplified
8Strokes
宀Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#40845Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 宙
Podcast: 宙
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AI Study Notes for 宙
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 宙 with similar characters related to time and space. It is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in literature or scientific discussions. Be mindful of using it correctly in phrases like '宇宙' (universe) where 宙 is part of the compound.
HSK Study Tips
Although 宙 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to higher-level concepts in HSK 5 and beyond. Students should focus on its usage in philosophical and scientific contexts to expand their understanding of abstract concepts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 宙 with the character 时间 (shíjiān), which means 'time' specifically. Remember that 宙 encompasses both time and space, whereas 时间 strictly refers to time.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宙
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How Well Do You Know 宙?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 宙 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.
宙 = 宀 + 由. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 宙
IDS Structure⿱宀由
宙Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
由you2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 宙?
How to say universe in Chinese
“universe” in Chinese is宙zhòu
The character 宙 (zhòu) refers to the concepts of the universe, space, and time. It is often used in contexts related to astronomy and philosophy, encompassing ideas of eternity and the vastness of existence. In geology, it denotes long periods of time, such as an eon.
When to use 宙
Common mistakes include confusing 宙 with similar characters related to time and space. It is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in literature or scientific discussions. Be mindful of using it correctly in phrases like '宇宙' (universe) where 宙 is part of the compound.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 宙 with the character 时间 (shíjiān), which means 'time' specifically. Remember that 宙 encompasses both time and space, whereas 时间 strictly refers to time.
Write 宙
宙
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Practice writing 宙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 宙
宙 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
早期的天文学家认为我们的星球是宇____的中心。
Early astronomers thought that our planet was the centre of the universe.
Common Confusions with 宙
宙vs周
zhōu
Similar pronunciation but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “universe”?
or
Example Sentences for 宙 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
早期的天文学家认为我们的星球是宇宙的中心。
zǎo qī de tiān wén xué jiā rèn wéi wǒ mén de xīng qiú shì yǔ zhòu de zhōng xīn。
Early astronomers thought that our planet was the centre of the universe.
2
载人宇宙飞行的前景看上去充满了越来越多的变数。
zǎi rén yǔ zhòu fēi háng de qián jǐng kàn shàng qù chōng mǎn le yuè lái yuè duō de biàn shù。
The future for manned space flight is looking increasingly uncertain.
Every god -- even Zeus himself -- wanted this " beautiful, golden goddess " as his wife.
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Word Family of 宙
Words Containing This Character12
宇宙yǔzhòuuniverse
宇宙飞船spacecraft宇宙飛船
宙斯Zeus
宙zhòueternity
宇宙观world view宇宙觀
宇宙学cosmology宇宙學
宇宙线cosmic ray宇宙線
宇宙射线cosmic ray宇宙射線
太古宙Archaean (geological eon before 2500m years ago)
元古宙pre-Cambrian (geological eon 2500-645m)
显生宙Phanerozoic, geological eon lasting since the Cambrian 寒武紀|寒武纪[Hánwǔjì], c. 540m year ago顯生宙
隐生宙Cryptozoic隱生宙
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 宙
What does 宇宙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 宙
宇宙 (yǔzhòu) means 'universe' and is a compound word that combines both space (宇) and time (宙). 宙 by itself highlights the aspect of time and the vastness of existence.
While 宙 is more commonly found in literary or scientific discussions, you might encounter it in philosophical debates or when discussing astronomy.
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