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沼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
沼
zhǎo
pond
n, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #12292, Very Hard
沼
zhǎo
pool
n, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #12292, Very Hard
沼
zhǎo
lake, pond, swamp
n, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #12292, Very Hard
zhǎo(zhao3)zhao T3
1pond
2pool
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
沼zhǎo(zhao3)
The character 沼 (zhǎo) refers to a body of water such as a pond, pool, or swamp. It is often used to describe smaller, shallow bodies of water that are not as expansive as lakes. In contexts like nature, ecology, or geography, it denotes specific types of aquatic environments.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#12292DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, wetlands and ponds like those described by 沼 are often seen as important ecosystems that support biodiversity. They are also linked to traditional practices like fishing and rice cultivation in rural areas.
Memory tip
Think of 沼 as a 'zoo' for water creatures – the radical 氵 (water) on the left hints at its connection to water, while the right part resembles a small enclosure where animals might roam. Imagine a serene pond teeming with wildlife, making the word 'zhǎo' memorable.
Meanings of 沼
zhǎo(zhao3)
1pond
2pool
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 沼 means.
About 沼
沼Simplified
8Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12292Frequency Rank
Podcast: 沼
Podcast: 沼
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AI study notes for 沼
Quick Contrast
沼 (zhǎo) vs 池 (chí) — use 沼 for shallow, swamp-like water bodies, while 池 refers specifically to a pond or pool.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 沼 with similar characters such as 湖 (hú, lake) and 池 (chí, pool), which denote larger or different types of water bodies. This word is more common in informal settings and environmental discussions. Pay attention to the third tone 'zhǎo' to ensure correct pronunciation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 沼 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, learners at this level can connect it to other water-related words like 水 (shuǐ, water) and 湖 (hú, lake). Focus on pronunciation and recognizing it in written texts, especially in environmental contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 沼 with similar characters like 池 or 湖, mistakenly using 沼 to describe larger bodies of water. For example, saying '我去沼' (Wǒ qù zhǎo, 'I go to the pond') when referring to a lake would be incorrect; instead, use 湖 (hú).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 沼
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How well do you know 沼?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 沼 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.
沼 = 氵 + 召. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 沼
IDS Structure⿰氵召
沼Full character
=
氵shui3
left
召Shao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 沼?
How to say pond in Chinese
“pond” in Chinese is沼zhǎo
The character 沼 (zhǎo) refers to a body of water such as a pond, pool, or swamp. It is often used to describe smaller, shallow bodies of water that are not as expansive as lakes. In contexts like nature, ecology, or geography, it denotes specific types of aquatic environments.
When to use 沼
Avoid confusing 沼 with similar characters such as 湖 (hú, lake) and 池 (chí, pool), which denote larger or different types of water bodies. This word is more common in informal settings and environmental discussions. Pay attention to the third tone 'zhǎo' to ensure correct pronunciation.
沼 or something close to it
沼 (zhǎo) vs 池 (chí) — use 沼 for shallow, swamp-like water bodies, while 池 refers specifically to a pond or pool.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 沼 with similar characters like 池 or 湖, mistakenly using 沼 to describe larger bodies of water. For example, saying '我去沼' (Wǒ qù zhǎo, 'I go to the pond') when referring to a lake would be incorrect; instead, use 湖 (hú).
Write 沼
沼
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Practice writing 沼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 沼
沼 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 3 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
周围的矿井里的确有____气聚积。
Methane gas does collect in the mines around here.
Example sentences for 沼 (8)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
周围的矿井里的确有沼气聚积。
zhōuwéi de kuàng jǐng lǐ díquè yǒu zhǎo qì jù jī。
Methane gas does collect in the mines around here.
2
他们已经仔细搜遍了其间绵延数英里的高沼地。
tāmen yǐjīng zǐxì sōu biàn le qíjiān mián yán shù Yīng lǐ de gāo zhǎo dì。
They had scoured the intervening miles of moorland.
3
穿越开阔的高沼地
chuānyuè kāikuò de gāo zhǎo dì
walking across open moorland
4
我们的四周出现了荒芜的高原沼地,头顶上亮着星星.
wǒmen de sìzhōu chūxiàn le huāng wú de gāoyuán zhǎo dì, tóudǐng shàng liàng zhe xīngxing.
The moors are around us and the stars are above our heads.
5
隆起在沼泽上的一系列又长又矮的山脊,是平原上唯一可以栖住的地方.
lōng qǐ zài zhǎozé shàng de yíxìliè yòu cháng yòu ǎi de shān jí, shì píngyuán shàng wéiyī kěyǐ qī zhù de dìfang.
Long low ridges which rise above the marsh form the only inhabitable areas on the plain.
