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梓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
梓zǐCatalpa ovatanrt, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #55683, Very Hard
梓zǐCatalpa kaempferiunknown, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #55683, Very Hard
梓zǐprinting blocksunknown, 11 strokes, radical 木, rank #55683, Very Hard
zǐ(zi3) T3
  1. 1Catalpa ovata
  2. 2Catalpa kaempferi
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

梓zǐ(zi3)

The character 梓 (zǐ) primarily refers to the Catalpa tree, specifically the species Catalpa ovata and Catalpa kaempferi. In a printing context, it also denotes printing blocks made from this wood, historically valued for its quality in book production.

Strokes11Radical木Frequency#55683DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The Catalpa tree has historical significance in China, often associated with traditional medicine and carpentry. Its wood was prized for making high-quality printing blocks in ancient publishing.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tree with wide branches and thick leaves, representing the Catalpa tree. The character 梓 resembles a tree (木) with a fancy structure on top, hinting at its use in printing, much like a grand printing press towering over the landscape.

Meanings of 梓

zǐ(zi3)
1Catalpa ovata
2Catalpa kaempferi
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 梓

梓Simplified
11Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 梓

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Podcast: 梓

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 梓

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tree with wide branches and thick leaves, representing the Catalpa tree. The character 梓 resembles a tree (木) with a fancy structure on top, hinting at its use in printing, much like a grand printing press towering over the landscape.

Usage Notes

While 梓 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it might appear in literary or botanical contexts. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; its tone is important, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 梓 is not a part of the HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on recognizing it as part of botanical terminology. Connecting it with other plant-related words can enhance vocabulary retention.

Cultural Note

The Catalpa tree has historical significance in China, often associated with traditional medicine and carpentry. Its wood was prized for making high-quality printing blocks in ancient publishing.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 梓 as 'zi' without the correct tone, which can lead to confusion with other characters. Remember, it is pronounced with a rising tone: zǐ.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 梓

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Etymology of 梓

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

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 辛 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)辛
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 梓?

Decomposition of 梓

IDS Structure⿰木辛
梓Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
辛Xin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 梓?

Write 梓

梓

Practice writing 梓 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 梓

梓 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

直到付____的那一刻他才完稿。

He was writing the book up to the moment the presses rolled.

Example Sentences for 梓 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
直到付梓的那一刻他才完稿。

zhí dào fù zǐ de nà yī kè tā cái wán gǎo。

He was writing the book up to the moment the presses rolled.

Cultural Notes for 梓

🏮Cultural insight

The Catalpa tree has historical significance in China, often associated with traditional medicine and carpentry. Its wood was prized for making high-quality printing blocks in ancient publishing.

Word Family of 梓

Words Containing This Character10
梓zǐCatalpa kaempferi
桐梓Taongzi county in Zun'yi 遵義|遵义[Zūn​yì], Guizhou
桐梓县Taongzi county in Zun'yi 遵義|遵义[Zūn​yì], Guizhou桐梓縣
桑梓homeland
梓潼Zitong county in Mianyang 綿陽|绵阳[Mián​yáng], north Sichuan
付梓to send (a manuscript) to the press
吴敬梓Wu Jingzi (1701-1754), Qing dynasty novelist, author of The Scholars 儒林外史[Rú​lín​Wài​shǐ]吳敬梓
梓潼县Zitong county in Mianyang 綿陽|绵阳[Mián​yáng], north Sichuan梓潼縣
梓官乡Ziguan or Tzukuan township in Kaohsiung county 高雄縣|高雄县[Gāo​xióng​xiàn], southwest Taiwan梓官鄉
楠梓区Nanzi or Nantzu district of Kaohsiung city 高雄市[Gāo​xióng​shì], south Taiwan楠梓區
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 梓 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 梓

In modern contexts, 梓 is primarily known as a type of tree, but it may also refer to its historical use in printing.