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March 24, 2026
棹(櫂)zhào(zhao4)
The character 棹 (zhào) primarily refers to an oar or paddle used for rowing a boat. It can also denote the act of rowing itself and has historical significance as an archaic term. While not commonly used in everyday conversation, it may appear in literary or poetic contexts related to watercraft and navigation.
Strokes12Radical木Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, boats and oars have historical significance for trade and transportation on rivers and canals, which were vital for commerce and communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sturdy oar (棹) slicing through water, with the radical 木 (wood) representing the material of the oar. The pronunciation 'zhào' sounds like 'row' in English, helping you remember its association with rowing and boats.
Meanings of 棹
zhào(zhao4)
primary
1oar; boat
2oar (archaic)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 棹
棹Simplified
櫂Traditional
12Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 棹
Podcast: 棹
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AI Study Notes for 棹
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sturdy oar (棹) slicing through water, with the radical 木 (wood) representing the material of the oar. The pronunciation 'zhào' sounds like 'row' in English, helping you remember its association with rowing and boats.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 棹 with 桌 (table) due to the similar components. It's important to note that 棹 is more formal and is rarely used in casual speech. Common collocations include expressions like '划棹' (huá zhào) meaning 'to row with an oar'.
HSK Study Tips
Though 棹 is not in HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other words related to water and transportation. Focus on understanding context and usage in literature to expand your vocabulary in relevant themes.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, boats and oars have historical significance for trade and transportation on rivers and canals, which were vital for commerce and communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 棹 with 桌, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我需要一个棹来吃饭' (I need an oar to eat) instead of '我需要一个桌来吃饭' (I need a table to eat).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 棹
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Cultural Notes for 棹
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, boats and oars have historical significance for trade and transportation on rivers and canals, which were vital for commerce and communication.
Word Family of 棹
Words Containing This Character1
棹zhàoscull櫂
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 棹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 棹
No, 棹 is considered archaic and is rarely used in everyday conversations.
While both characters have similar components, 棹 specifically refers to an oar or paddle, whereas 桌 means table.
It's better to avoid using 棹 in informal contexts; opt for more common terms related to rowing instead.
