HSK 3, ng, 7 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4309, Medium
zhuàng(zhuang4)zhuang T4
1accusation
2suit
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
状(狀)zhuàng(zhuang4)
The character 状 (zhuàng) primarily means 'state' or 'condition,' often describing the form or appearance of something. It is commonly used in contexts like physical health (身体状况), legal suits (诉状), or to indicate the shape of an object. The character can imply strength or greatness when used descriptively.
Strokes7Radical犬Frequency#4309DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, understanding one's 状况 (state or condition) is vital, especially regarding health and relationships. The concept of maintaining good 状态 is often emphasized in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy.
Memory tip
Imagine a strong warrior (状) standing tall in his fine armor. The character's structure symbolizes strength and form, as if he is showcasing his impressive condition and appearance. The pronunciation 'zhuàng' sounds like 'strong,' reinforcing the idea of robustness.
Meanings of 状
zhuàng(zhuang4)
1accusation
2suit
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 状 means.
About 状
状Simplified
狀Traditional
7Strokes
犬Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#4309Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3
Podcast: 状
Podcast: 状
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 状
Quick Contrast
状 (zhuàng) vs 形 (xíng) — use 状 for emphasis on condition or state, while 形 focuses more on shape or form.
Usage Notes
Learn to differentiate between the various meanings and contexts of 状. Common collocations include 状态 (state/condition) and 诉状 (lawsuit). Be cautious of tone; the character is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), which can change meanings if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
While 状 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects to HSK-related vocabulary concerning health (健康状况) and legal terminology. Students should focus on recognizing it in phrases and practicing its usage in context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 状 with similar-sounding characters like 状 and 庄 (zhuāng). For instance, saying '我的庄况很不错' instead of '我的状况很不错' is incorrect; the correct word here is 状, which means condition.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 状
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 状, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 状 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 状?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 状 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.
状 = 犬 + 丬. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 状
IDS Structure⿰丬犬
状Full character
=
丬qiang2
left
犬quan3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 状?
How to say accusation in Chinese
“accusation” in Chinese is状zhuàng
The character 状 (zhuàng) primarily means 'state' or 'condition,' often describing the form or appearance of something. It is commonly used in contexts like physical health (身体状况), legal suits (诉状), or to indicate the shape of an object. The character can imply strength or greatness when used descriptively.
When to use 状
Learn to differentiate between the various meanings and contexts of 状. Common collocations include 状态 (state/condition) and 诉状 (lawsuit). Be cautious of tone; the character is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), which can change meanings if mispronounced.
状 or something close to it
状 (zhuàng) vs 形 (xíng) — use 状 for emphasis on condition or state, while 形 focuses more on shape or form.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 状 with similar-sounding characters like 状 and 庄 (zhuāng). For instance, saying '我的庄况很不错' instead of '我的状况很不错' is incorrect; the correct word here is 状, which means condition.
Write 状
状
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 状 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 状
状 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 8 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.
To stay fit off season, I play tennis or football.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 状?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 状
Words containing this character20
状态zhuàngtàistate狀態
状况zhuàngkuàngcondition狀況
症状zhèngzhuàngsymptom (of an illness)症狀
状zhuàngsuit狀
现状xiànzhuàngcurrent situation現狀
形状xíngzhuàngform形狀
甲状腺jiǎzhuàngxiànthyroid gland甲狀腺
状元zhuàngyuanleading light狀元
冠状动脉guānzhuàngdòngmàicoronary artery冠狀動脈
原状yuánzhuàngprevious condition原狀
性状xìngzhuàngcharacter性狀
告状gàozhuàngto tell on sb告狀
诉状sùzhuàngplea訴狀
精神状态jīngshénzhuàngtàimental state精神狀態
晶状体jīngzhuàngtǐlens晶狀體
状告zhuànggàoto sue狀告
奖状jiǎngzhuàngprize certificate獎狀
罪状zuìzhuàngthe nature of the offense罪狀
块状kuàizhuànglump塊狀
紧急状态jǐnjízhuàngtàistate of emergency緊急狀態
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 状
What does 状态 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 状
Common phrases including 状 (zhuàng) are '状况' (zhuàngkuàng) meaning 'condition' or 'situation,' and '控诉状' (kòngsù zhuàng) meaning 'accusation statement.' These phrases illustrate its application in both everyday conversation and legal contexts.
状 (zhuàng) generally refers to 'state' or 'condition,' while 状态 (zhuàngtài) specifically means 'status' or 'state of affairs.' While they are related, 状态 is often used in more formal or technical contexts, whereas 状 can be used in a broader range of situations.
状 (zhuàng) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'accusation,' 'suit,' 'state,' and 'condition.' It can also describe something that is strong or great, depending on the context. This versatility makes it useful in various expressions and phrases.
You can use 状 (zhuàng) to describe a state or condition, such as in the phrase '身体状况' (shēntǐ zhuàngkuàng) which means 'physical condition.' It can also refer to legal terms like '诉状' (sù zhuàng), meaning 'lawsuit.' Understanding its context will help you use it appropriately.
You can use 状 in phrases like '身体状况很好' (The physical condition is very good) or '案件的诉状已经提交' (The lawsuit document has been submitted).
Yes, 状 is often used in formal legal and medical contexts, but can also be used informally when discussing personal states.
Synonyms include 状态 (state) and 形状 (shape), each with slightly different nuances.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 状?
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.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
