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March 24, 2026
燥zào(zao4)
The character 燥 (zào) primarily means 'dry' or 'parched', indicating a lack of moisture in contexts such as weather or soil. It can also describe a person's temperament, suggesting impatience or irritability. This dual meaning highlights the connection between physical dryness and emotional states.
Strokes17Radical火Frequency#19043DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of dryness is often linked to traditional medicine, where it can indicate an imbalance in the body, resulting in irritability or health issues. Understanding this connection can provide deeper insights into wellness discussions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sunbaked landscape that is so dry it cracks – this visual represents the character 燥. The top part '火' (fire) symbolizes heat, while the bottom '躁' suggests restlessness. If you're feeling 'zào', think of a fiery desert making you impatient for water.
Meanings of 燥
zào(zao4)
1dry
2parched
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 燥
燥Simplified
17Strokes
火Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#19043Frequency Rank
Podcast: 燥
Podcast: 燥
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AI Study Notes for 燥
Quick Contrast
干 (gān) - use 干 for 'dry' in a more literal sense, while 燥 emphasizes a parched condition or an emotional state; 烤 (kǎo) - choose 烤 when referring to the act of roasting or baking, not just dryness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sunbaked landscape that is so dry it cracks – this visual represents the character 燥. The top part '火' (fire) symbolizes heat, while the bottom '躁' suggests restlessness. If you're feeling 'zào', think of a fiery desert making you impatient for water.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing 'zào' can change its meaning. It's often used in informal contexts to describe both weather conditions and personal feelings, but may sound overly dramatic in formal situations. Common collocations include '燥热' (zàorè - dry heat) and '燥动' (zàodòng - restlessness).
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of HSK levels, 燥 can help learners connect with words related to emotions and weather. Students should focus on its use in describing environments and feelings, linking it to similar words like '干' (gān - dry) and '躁动' (zàodòng - restless).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of dryness is often linked to traditional medicine, where it can indicate an imbalance in the body, resulting in irritability or health issues. Understanding this connection can provide deeper insights into wellness discussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 燥 with 旱 (hàn - drought) when referring to dry conditions but should remember 燥 also conveys impatience. For instance, saying '我很旱' (Wǒ hěn hàn - I'm very dry) is incorrect; instead, use '我很燥' (Wǒ hěn zào - I'm very impatient).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 燥
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Grammar Patterns of 燥
燥 carries 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他们时常陷入枯____的日常事务之中。
All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.
Common Confusions with 燥
燥vs躁
zào
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "dry"?
or
Usage Notes for 燥
Distinguishing 燥 and 躁Common Error
Learners often confuse 燥 (dry) with 躁 (agitated) due to their similar pronunciation.
1
天气燥热。
The weather is dry and hot.
2
他最近很躁。
He has been very agitated recently.
Usage in DescriptionsGrammar Tip
Use 燥 to describe conditions that are dry or parched, often in relation to weather or physical states.
1
这个地区的气候很燥。
The climate in this area is very dry.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
天气____热。
The weather is dry and hot.
Example Sentences for 燥 (10)
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1
他们时常陷入枯燥的日常事务之中。
tā mén shí cháng xiàn rù kū zào de rì cháng shì wù zhī zhōng。
All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.
2
他写了一组非常单调枯燥的曲子。
tā xiě le yī zǔ fēi cháng dān tiáo kū zào de qū zǐ。
He has written a batch of very samey tunes.
3
上班时，他淹没在枯燥乏味的会海中。
shàng bān shí， ， tā yān méi zài kū zào fá wèi de huì hǎi。
At work, he was chained to a system of boring meetings.
4
原本显得沉闷枯燥的诗歌突然有了生气。
yuán běn xiǎn dé chén mèn kū zào de shī gē tū rán yǒu le shēng qì。
Poems which had seemed dull and boring suddenly came to life.
5
那是一份按部就班、枯燥乏味的无聊差事。
nà shì yī fèn àn bù jiù bān、 、 kū zào fá wèi de wú liáo chà。
It was a methodical, unexciting chore.
6
那是一堆枯燥乏味、毫无幽默感的废话。
nà shì yī duī kū zào fá wèi、 、 háo wú yōu mò gǎn de fèi。
When the soil is dry, more moisture is lost from the plant.
8
斯托克斯先生可以预见下一周会被枯燥繁重的宣传工作搞得焦头烂额。
sī tuō kè sī xiān shēng kě yǐ yù jiàn xià yī zhōu huì bèi kū zào fán zhòng de xuān chuán gōng zuò gǎo dé jiāo tóu làn é。
Mr Stocks can expect a gruelling week on the publicity treadmill.
9
不过，这种车即使在干燥路面上也表现出了良好的抓地性能。
bù guò， ， zhè zhǒng chē jí shǐ zài gān zào lù miàn shàng yě biǎo xiàn chū le liáng hǎo de zhuā dì xìng。
Such cars, however, do grip the road well, even in the dry.
10
这本枯燥乏味的书幸亏加了一些精彩的插图才变得生动有趣.
zhè běn kū zào fá wèi de shū xìng kuī jiā le yī xiē jīng cǎi de chā tú cái biàn dé shēng dòng yǒu qù.
The otherwise dreary book is enlivened by some very amusing illustrations.
Cultural Notes for 燥
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of dryness is often linked to traditional medicine, where it can indicate an imbalance in the body, resulting in irritability or health issues. Understanding this connection can provide deeper insights into wellness discussions.
Word Family of 燥
Words Containing This Character7
干燥gānzàodull乾燥
枯燥kūzàodry and dull
燥zàodry
口干舌燥lit. dry mouth and tongue (idiom); to talk too much口乾舌燥
干燥剂desiccant乾燥劑
枯燥无味tedious枯燥無味
干燥机a drier乾燥機
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 干燥 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 燥
Make sure to use the fourth tone: zào, which is a falling tone.
Yes, it can describe impatience or irritability, often in informal contexts.
Common phrases include '燥热' (dry heat) and '燥动' (restless).
