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準 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zhǔnstandard, accurate; to permit, to approve, to allowzg, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #90094, Very Hard
zhǔn(zhun3) T3
  1. 1standard, accurate; to permit, to approve, to allow
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March 24, 2026

zhǔn(zhun3)

The character 準 (zhǔn) primarily means 'standard' or 'accurate', often used in contexts relating to precision or compliance with established norms. Additionally, it can imply permission or approval, as in allowing something to happen. This dual meaning is commonly utilized in both formal and informal settings.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#90094DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the notion of standards is deeply ingrained in many aspects of life, from education to business practices. The emphasis on accuracy in measurements and assessments reflects the importance of quality and reliability in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a precise archer shooting arrows that always hit the target exactly (準 sounds like 'zhun' which can remind you of 'tune' for accuracy). The character has the water radical (氵) on the left, suggesting fluidity, while the right side (準) can represent stability, symbolizing that to have standards, one must balance flexibility with precision.

Meanings of 準

zhǔn(zhun3)
1standard, accurate; to permit, to approve, to allow
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 準

Simplified
13Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 準

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AI Study Notes for 準

Quick Contrast

准确 (zhǔnquè) vs. 精确 (jīngquè) — use 準 when referring to general standards or compliance, while 准确 focuses on correctness in a specific context.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a precise archer shooting arrows that always hit the target exactly (準 sounds like 'zhun' which can remind you of 'tune' for accuracy). The character has the water radical (氵) on the left, suggesting fluidity, while the right side (準) can represent stability, symbolizing that to have standards, one must balance flexibility with precision.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 準 with similar-sounding characters, like 准 (zhǔn), which means 'to allow' or 'to permit.' It's important to use the correct tone when speaking, as mispronunciation could lead to misunderstandings. Common collocations include 準確 (zhǔnquè, 'accurate') and 標準 (biāozhǔn, 'standard').

HSK Study Tips

Although 準 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with HSK 5 vocabulary relating to measurement and standards. Students should focus on pronunciation and the contexts where it denotes approval or precision, as these are common in advanced conversations.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the notion of standards is deeply ingrained in many aspects of life, from education to business practices. The emphasis on accuracy in measurements and assessments reflects the importance of quality and reliability in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 準 with 允许 (yǔnxǔ, 'to allow') due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '我准你去' instead of '我允许你去' (I allow you to go) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 準

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Etymology of 準

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 準. Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 隼 represents the sound. The 氵 (water) component is used because level tools that ensure flatness take advantage of water having a flat surface.

Memory Hint

To balance 十 water 氵 in a spirit level; 隹 provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 準?

Decomposition of 準

IDS Structure⿱淮十
Full Character
=
Huai2
top
shi2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 準?

Write 準

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 準

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the notion of standards is deeply ingrained in many aspects of life, from education to business practices. The emphasis on accuracy in measurements and assessments reflects the importance of quality and reliability in Chinese society.

Word Family of 準

Words Containing This Character20
准备zhǔnbèipreparation準備
标准biāozhǔnnorm標準
zhǔnaccurate
批准pīzhǔnto approve
准确zhǔnquèaccurate準確
不准bùzhǔnnot to allow
瞄准miáozhǔnto target瞄準
准时zhǔnshíon time準時
准则zhǔnzénorm準則
水准shuǐzhǔnstandard水準
基准jīzhǔnnorm基準
标准化standardization標準化
对准duìzhǔnto aim at對準
核准to authorize
准许zhǔnxǔto allow准許
准确性accuracy準確性
获准to obtain permission獲准
准备金reserve fund準備金
准考证(exam) admission ticket准考證
校准to calibrate校準
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 准备 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 準

The correct pronunciation is zhǔn, with a falling-rising tone.