Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
爫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
爫zhǎoclaws, nails, talonszg, 4 strokes, radical 爫
爫zhǎo"claw" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 87)unknown, 4 strokes, radical 爫
zhǎo(zhao3) T3
  1. 1claws, nails, talons
  2. 2"claw" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 87)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

爫zhǎo(zhao3)

The character 爫 (zhǎo) refers to claws, nails, or talons and is commonly associated with animals, especially birds and reptiles. It serves as a radical in various Chinese characters, often conveying meanings related to grasping or holding.

Strokes4Radical爫
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the imagery of claws often symbolizes strength and aggression, particularly in martial arts and folklore where animals like dragons or tigers are revered for their power.

Memory Tip

Imagine a fierce animal's claws gripping tightly onto a branch. The character 爫 resembles claws curled around something, and the 'zh' sound in 'zhǎo' can remind you of a 'zooming' motion of an animal lunging forward with its claws.

Meanings of 爫

zhǎo(zhao3)
1claws, nails, talons
2"claw" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 87)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 爫

爫Simplified
4Strokes
爫Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 爫

JasonAmy

Podcast: 爫

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 爫

Usage Notes

When using 爫 in compound words, it often appears in more formal contexts related to nature or animals. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar radicals, such as 手 (shǒu), which means 'hand.' Always pay attention to the context in which it appears to choose the correct radical.

HSK Study Tips

While 爫 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it is useful for recognizing compound characters at higher levels. Focus on understanding how it combines with other radicals to form words related to animals or actions involving gripping.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 爫 with the hand radical 手 (shǒu), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, mixing up 爪 (claw) with 抓 (zhuā, to grasp or catch) can cause misunderstandings in meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 爫

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 爫 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 爫

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Memory Hint

A bird's talons; compare 爪

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 爫

  1. 1The giveawayA bird's talons; compare 爪
  2. 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 爫? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 爫?

How to say claws, nails, talons in Chinese

“claws, nails, talons” in Chinese is爫zhǎo

The character 爫 (zhǎo) refers to claws, nails, or talons and is commonly associated with animals, especially birds and reptiles. It serves as a radical in various Chinese characters, often conveying meanings related to grasping or holding.

When to use 爫

When using 爫 in compound words, it often appears in more formal contexts related to nature or animals. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar radicals, such as 手 (shǒu), which means 'hand.' Always pay attention to the context in which it appears to choose the correct radical.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 爫 with the hand radical 手 (shǒu), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, mixing up 爪 (claw) with 抓 (zhuā, to grasp or catch) can cause misunderstandings in meaning.

Write 爫

爫

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 爫

Words Containing This Character1
爫zhǎo"claw" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 87)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 爫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 爫

Characters like 爪 (zhǎo), which also means 'claw' or 'nail', incorporate the 爫 radical.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 爫?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.