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撙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
撙zǔnto cut down, to reduce, to regulate; to rein in spendingx, 15 strokes, radical 扌
撙zǔnto reduce or cut down onunknown, 15 strokes, radical 扌
撙zǔnto rein inunknown, 15 strokes, radical 扌
撙zǔnto restrainunknown, 15 strokes, radical 扌
zǔn(zun3) T3
  1. 1to cut down, to reduce, to regulate; to rein in spending
  2. 2to reduce or cut down on
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March 24, 2026

撙zǔn(zun3)

The character 撙 (zǔn) refers to the act of cutting down or reducing something, particularly in the context of managing resources or spending. It is often used in discussions about financial restraint or regulation, implying a careful, measured approach to consumption or expenditure.

Strokes15Radical扌
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of fiscal responsibility is emphasized, especially in familial and governmental contexts. The practice of 撙节 is often seen during economic downturns or in traditional family budgeting discussions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person holding scissors (the radical 扌, meaning hand) and carefully cutting down a tall stack of bills (representing expenses). The sound 'zǔn' resembles 'zoom', which you can think of as zooming in on your spending to cut it down.

Meanings of 撙

zǔn(zun3)
1to cut down, to reduce, to regulate; to rein in spending
2to reduce or cut down on
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 撙

撙Simplified
15Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 撙

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Podcast: 撙

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AI Study Notes for 撙

Quick Contrast

节 (jié) vs 节省 (jiéshěng) — choose 撙 (zǔn) for a focus on cutting down or reducing resources, while 节 emphasizes conservation or saving.

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal contexts, especially in discussions related to finance or policy. Common collocations include 撙节 (to economize) and 撙缩 (to reduce). Pay attention to the third tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 撙 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding its components can help learners with similar characters related to reduction or restraint. Focus on memorizing the character's form and its application in financial contexts to enhance your vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 撙 with similar sounding words like 存 (cún, to save) or 减 (jiǎn, to reduce). Remember that 撙 specifically relates to cutting down or regulating, especially in spending contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 撙

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Etymology of 撙

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)尊
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 撙

  1. 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half尊 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhand
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 撙? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 撙?

Decomposition of 撙

IDS Structure⿰扌尊
撙Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
尊zun1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 撙?

How to say to cut down, to reduce, to regulate; to rein in spending in Chinese

“to cut down, to reduce, to regulate; to rein in spending” in Chinese is撙zǔn

The character 撙 (zǔn) refers to the act of cutting down or reducing something, particularly in the context of managing resources or spending. It is often used in discussions about financial restraint or regulation, implying a careful, measured approach to consumption or expenditure.

When to use 撙

This character is often used in formal contexts, especially in discussions related to finance or policy. Common collocations include 撙节 (to economize) and 撙缩 (to reduce). Pay attention to the third tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

撙 or something close to it

节 (jié) vs 节省 (jiéshěng) — choose 撙 (zǔn) for a focus on cutting down or reducing resources, while 节 emphasizes conservation or saving.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 撙 with similar sounding words like 存 (cún, to save) or 减 (jiǎn, to reduce). Remember that 撙 specifically relates to cutting down or regulating, especially in spending contexts.

Write 撙

撙

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

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Word Family of 撙

Words Containing This Character1
撙zǔnto rein in
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 撙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 撙

Common phrases include 撙节 (to economize) and 撙缩 (to reduce), both of which highlight the act of cutting back.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 撙?

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