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March 24, 2026
桌zhuō(zhuo1)
The character 桌 (zhuō) refers to a table or desk, commonly used in various contexts such as homes, offices, and during meals. It can also denote a classifier for tables in social settings, like at a banquet, indicating the arrangement of guests.
Strokes10Radical木Frequency#3450DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the dining table (餐桌) holds significant importance during family gatherings and celebrations, symbolizing unity and togetherness. The arrangement of guests around the table can reflect social hierarchies and relationships.
Memory tip
Imagine a tabletop (桌) where you prepare for a feast. The left side of the character looks like a table leg, supporting the flat surface above. Remember 'zhuō' sounds like 'draw,' as if you're drawing your favorite meal on the table.
Meanings of 桌
zhuō(zhuo1)
1table
2table, stand, desk, counter
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About 桌
桌Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3450Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1
Podcast: 桌
Podcast: 桌
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AI study notes for 桌
Quick Contrast
桌子 (zhuōzi) vs 桌 (zhuō) — use 桌 when referring to the concept of a table in a more abstract or general sense, while 桌子 is the more specific and commonly used term for a physical table.
Usage Notes
This term is generally neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include '餐桌' (cānzhuō - dining table) and '书桌' (shūzhuō - desk). Be cautious with pronunciation; the first tone is crucial to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 桌 is not listed in HSK levels, it connects with other HSK words related to furniture and household items. Students should focus on its usage in context, particularly in phrases describing locations or functions of tables.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 桌 with similar characters like 椅 (yǐ - chair) due to visual similarity. For example, saying '我坐在桌' instead of '我坐在桌子上' (Wǒ zuò zài zhuōzi shàng) to correctly mean 'I sit at the table.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 桌
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Learning Lab
Knowing 桌 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.
The character 桌 (zhuō) refers to a table or desk, commonly used in various contexts such as homes, offices, and during meals. It can also denote a classifier for tables in social settings, like at a banquet, indicating the arrangement of guests.
When to use 桌
This term is generally neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include '餐桌' (cānzhuō - dining table) and '书桌' (shūzhuō - desk). Be cautious with pronunciation; the first tone is crucial to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
桌 or something close to it
桌子 (zhuōzi) vs 桌 (zhuō) — use 桌 when referring to the concept of a table in a more abstract or general sense, while 桌子 is the more specific and commonly used term for a physical table.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 桌 with similar characters like 椅 (yǐ - chair) due to visual similarity. For example, saying '我坐在桌' instead of '我坐在桌子上' (Wǒ zuò zài zhuōzi shàng) to correctly mean 'I sit at the table.'
Write 桌
桌
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Grammar patterns of 桌
桌 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.
