Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
枣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
枣zǎodate tree; dates, jujubes; surnameHSK 7, n, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #36045, Very Hard
枣zǎojujubeHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #36045, Very Hard
zǎo(zao3)zao T3
  1. 1date tree; dates, jujubes; surname
  2. 2jujube
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

枣(棗)zǎo(zao3)

枣 (zǎo) refers primarily to the jujube tree and its fruit, commonly known as dates. It is often used in culinary contexts, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine, where dates are valued for their health benefits. Additionally, it can also be a surname in China.

Strokes8Radical木Frequency#36045DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, jujubes are often used during festivals and are considered a symbol of good luck and health. They are frequently included in dishes for special occasions, such as weddings and the Lunar New Year.

Memory tip

Imagine a tree that bears sweet, reddish fruits resembling tiny apples — this is the jujube tree! The character 枣 is composed of the wood radical 木, indicating it's a tree, combined with 𠂤, which could remind you of the fruit it produces. Think of 'zǎo' as 'sow' – sowing seeds for a fruitful jujube tree.

Meanings of 枣

zǎo(zao3)
1date tree; dates, jujubes; surname
2jujube
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 枣 means.

About 枣

枣Simplified
棗Traditional
8Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 枣

JasonAmy

Podcast: 枣

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 枣

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the pronunciation; the third tone can be tricky. In terms of usage, it's often paired with words like '干' (gān) meaning 'dried,' as in 'dried dates' (干枣). This term is informal and more common in spoken language rather than formal writing.

HSK Study Tips

Although 枣 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be connected to HSK Level 2 words related to food and plants. Focus on recognizing the wood radical and the context in which 食物 (shíwù, food) is discussed to enhance your learning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 枣 with other similar-sounding words, such as 早 (zǎo, early). Remember, 枣 refers to the jujube, while 早 relates to time. Additionally, some may mistakenly refer to it as a regular 'date' without specifying it's a jujube in a Chinese context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 枣

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 枣, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 枣 to you

Let me explain 枣 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 枣 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 枣?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 枣 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 枣

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 棗. Pictograph of a date tree.

Memory hint

Dates ⺀ falling off a tree 朿

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 枣?

Decomposition of 枣

IDS Structure⿱朿⺀
枣Full character
=
朿ci4
top
⺀—
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 枣?

How to say date tree; dates, jujubes; surname in Chinese

“date tree; dates, jujubes; surname” in Chinese is枣zǎo

枣 (zǎo) refers primarily to the jujube tree and its fruit, commonly known as dates. It is often used in culinary contexts, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine, where dates are valued for their health benefits. Additionally, it can also be a surname in China.

When to use 枣

Be cautious with the pronunciation; the third tone can be tricky. In terms of usage, it's often paired with words like '干' (gān) meaning 'dried,' as in 'dried dates' (干枣). This term is informal and more common in spoken language rather than formal writing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 枣 with other similar-sounding words, such as 早 (zǎo, early). Remember, 枣 refers to the jujube, while 早 relates to time. Additionally, some may mistakenly refer to it as a regular 'date' without specifying it's a jujube in a Chinese context.

Write 枣

枣

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 枣

枣 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

日落时开斋,按传统会吃椰____、喝水。

The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally with dates and water.

Example sentences for 枣 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
日落时开斋,按传统会吃椰枣、喝水。

rì là shí kāi zhāi, àn chuántǒng huì chī yē zǎo、 hēshuǐ。

The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally with dates and water.
2
被誉为制造业之乡 、 冬枣之乡 、 苜蓿之乡.

bèi yùwéi zhìzào yè zhī xiāng、 dōng zǎo zhī xiāng、 mù xu zhī xiāng.

Known as the hometown of the manufacturing sector, jujube village, alfalfa town.
3
院里种了几棵枣树.

yuàn lǐ zhǒng le jǐ kē zǎo shù.

There are some jujube trees in the courtyard.
4
那个院子里有几棵枣树.

nàge yuànzi lǐ yǒu jǐ kē zǎo shù.

There are some jujube trees in that courtyard.
5
枣儿都晒干巴了.

zǎo ér dōu shài gān Bā le.

The dates have all dried up in the sun.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 枣?

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 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 枣

Words containing this character18
枣zǎojujube棗
红枣jujube紅棗
枣子dates棗子
大枣jujube大棗
枣庄Zaozhuang prefecture level city in Shandong棗莊
酸枣sour date (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa)酸棗
蜜枣candied jujube蜜棗
枣树jujube tree棗樹
枣庄市Zaozhuang prefecture level city in Shandong棗莊市
枣阳Zaoyang county level city in Xiangfan 襄樊[Xiāng​fán], Hubei棗陽
枣阳市Zaoyang county level city in Xiangfan 襄樊[Xiāng​fán], Hubei棗陽市
枣泥jujube paste棗泥
囫囵吞枣to lap up囫圇吞棗
枣强县Zaoqiang county in Hengshui 衡水[Héng​shuǐ], Hebei棗強縣
海枣date (fruit)海棗
枣强Zaoqiang county in Hengshui 衡水[Héng​shuǐ], Hebei棗強
醉枣dates in liquor醉棗
酒枣dates in liquor酒棗
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 枣

What does 红枣 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 枣

枣 specifically refers to jujubes, which are different from the Middle Eastern dates commonly found in Western cuisine.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 枣?

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