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March 24, 2026
栽zāi(zai1)
The character 栽 (zāi) primarily means 'to plant' or 'to grow,' often used in the context of agriculture or gardening. It can also imply inserting something into a particular location or forcing something onto someone. Additionally, it has a figurative use related to falling or tumbling headfirst, which adds a layer of nuance to its applications.
Strokes10Radical木Frequency#9224DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, agriculture holds significant importance, and the act of planting (栽) symbolizes nurturing and growth, not just of plants but also of relationships and personal development. Festivals like the Spring Festival often celebrate the planting season.
Memory Tip
Imagine planting a tree (木) in the ground (土) as you say 'zāi'—the shape of the character shows the tree being inserted into the earth. Visualize the tree growing tall and strong, reminding you of the growth aspect, while the character's form resembles a tree (木) rooted in the ground.
Meanings of 栽
zāi(zai1)
1to grow
2to plant
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 栽
栽Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9224Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 栽
Podcast: 栽
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AI Study Notes for 栽
Quick Contrast
栽 (zāi) vs 种 (zhòng) — use 栽 when emphasizing the act of planting or inserting, while 种 focuses on the broader concept of growing or cultivating.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine planting a tree (木) in the ground (土) as you say 'zāi'—the shape of the character shows the tree being inserted into the earth. Visualize the tree growing tall and strong, reminding you of the growth aspect, while the character's form resembles a tree (木) rooted in the ground.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 栽 with other similar verbs like 种 (zhòng), which specifically means 'to sow' or 'to seed.' 栽 is more about the act of planting established plants or trees. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it when discussing abstract growth, which may lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 栽 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to words related to agriculture and growth found in HSK levels 3-4. Focus on its root meaning of 'planting' and practice using it in sentences about gardening or cultivation to reinforce your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, agriculture holds significant importance, and the act of planting (栽) symbolizes nurturing and growth, not just of plants but also of relationships and personal development. Festivals like the Spring Festival often celebrate the planting season.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 栽 with the character 种 (zhòng), leading to incorrect usage in planting contexts. For instance, saying '我栽种了种子' (I planted seeds) should be corrected to '我种了种子.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 栽
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Grammar Patterns of 栽
栽 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 6 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
Complete the Sentence
这家公司的主管们觉得他值得____培。
The directors of this company feel he's worth every penny.
Example Sentences for 栽 (10)
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1
这家公司的主管们觉得他值得栽培。
zhè jiā gōng sī de zhǔ guǎn mén jué dé tā zhí dé zāi péi。
The directors of this company feel he's worth every penny.
The cultivation of anubis: warm, moist and half Yin.
5
那位筋疲力尽的赛跑运动员一头栽倒,直喘气.
nà wèi jīn pí lì jìn de sài pǎo yùn dòng yuán yī tóu zāi dǎo, , zhí chuǎn.
The exhausted runner threw himself down and gasped.
6
沿着绿篱栽种着大约300棵树。
yán zháo lǜ lí zāi zhǒng zháo dà yuē300 300 kē。
Some 300 trees have been ranged along the perimeter hedge.
7
我将新栽的树周围的土捣硬.
wǒ jiāng xīn zāi de shù zhōu wéi de tǔ dǎo yìng.
I rammed down the earth around the newly - planted tree.
8
那些孩子挖了个坑准备栽树.
nà xiē hái zǐ wā le gè kēng zhǔn bèi zāi shù.
The boys scraped out a hollow place for planting trees.
9
这两行树栽得太密了.
zhè liǎng háng shù zāi dé tài mì le.
These two rows of trees are planted too close together.
10
适合春棚及春秋露地栽培.
shì hé chūn péng jí chūn qiū lòu dì zāi péi.
For the spring and the spring and open field cultivation shed.
Cultural Notes for 栽
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, agriculture holds significant importance, and the act of planting (栽) symbolizes nurturing and growth, not just of plants but also of relationships and personal development. Festivals like the Spring Festival often celebrate the planting season.
Word Family of 栽
Compounds1
溨
Words Containing This Character10
栽zāito grow
栽培zāipéito grow
栽赃to frame sb (by planting sth on them)栽贓
盆栽Japanese: bonsai
栽种to plant栽種
移栽to transplant (horticulture, agriculture)
栽植to plant
栽跟头to fall head over heels栽跟頭
栽倒to take a fall
倒栽葱to fall headlong倒栽蔥
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 栽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 栽
Yes, 栽 can refer to planting various types of plants, including trees, flowers, and vegetables.
Yes, 栽 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in discussions about agriculture.
栽 refers to planting established plants, while 种 specifically means to sow seeds.
