unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #28705, Very Hard
栈
zhàn
wood or bamboo trestlework
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #28705, Very Hard
栈
zhàn
a warehouse
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #28705, Very Hard
zhàn(zhan4) T4
1warehouse; tavern, inn
2a wooden or bamboo pen for sheep or cattle
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March 24, 2026
栈(棧)zhàn(zhan4)
The character 栈 (zhàn) primarily refers to a warehouse or a place where goods are stored. It can also denote a tavern or inn, and is used in contexts related to animal pens or trestlework made of wood or bamboo. The core meaning revolves around storage and shelter, applicable in both commercial and agricultural settings.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#28705DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, inns (栈) were vital for trade routes, serving as stopping points for merchants and travelers. The concept of such inns reflects the significance of hospitality and commerce in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wooden structure (木 - mù) piled high with goods or sheep (羊 - yáng) inside. The character 栈 resembles a wooden frame with a roof, picturing a warehouse or an inn where travelers rest and goods are stored. This visualization links the character to its meaning and the 'zhàn' sound.
Meanings of 栈
zhàn(zhan4)
1warehouse; tavern, inn
2a wooden or bamboo pen for sheep or cattle
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 栈
栈Simplified
棧Traditional
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 栈
Podcast: 栈
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AI Study Notes for 栈
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 栈 with similar characters like 站 (zhàn), which means 'to stand' or 'station.' This word is generally used in more formal contexts when referring to warehouses or inns. Common collocations include '货物栈' (huòwù zhàn - goods warehouse) and '栈房' (zhànfáng - inn).
HSK Study Tips
Although 栈 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to HSK Level 4 words like '仓库' (cāngkù - warehouse) and '旅馆' (lǚguǎn - hotel). Students should focus on understanding its context in commercial or agricultural discussions to enrich their vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 栈 with 站, using it in the wrong context. For example, saying '我在栈等车' (Wǒ zài zhàn děng chē - I wait for the bus at the warehouse) instead of '我在站等车' (Wǒ zài zhàn děng chē - I wait for the bus at the station) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 栈
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Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 戋 represents the sound. Simplified form of 棧.
1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
2The sound half戋 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywood
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 栈? 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 栈?
Decomposition of 栈
IDS Structure⿰木戋
栈Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
戋jian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 栈?
How to say warehouse; tavern, inn in Chinese
“warehouse; tavern, inn” in Chinese is栈zhàn
The character 栈 (zhàn) primarily refers to a warehouse or a place where goods are stored. It can also denote a tavern or inn, and is used in contexts related to animal pens or trestlework made of wood or bamboo. The core meaning revolves around storage and shelter, applicable in both commercial and agricultural settings.
When to use 栈
Be careful not to confuse 栈 with similar characters like 站 (zhàn), which means 'to stand' or 'station.' This word is generally used in more formal contexts when referring to warehouses or inns. Common collocations include '货物栈' (huòwù zhàn - goods warehouse) and '栈房' (zhànfáng - inn).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 栈 with 站, using it in the wrong context. For example, saying '我在栈等车' (Wǒ zài zhàn děng chē - I wait for the bus at the warehouse) instead of '我在站等车' (Wǒ zài zhàn děng chē - I wait for the bus at the station) is incorrect.
Write 栈
栈
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Practice writing 栈 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 栈
栈 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 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.
