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March 24, 2026
皂zào(zao4)
The character 皂 (zào) primarily means 'soap' and can also refer to the color 'black.' It is commonly used in contexts related to cleaning products and personal hygiene. Additionally, it may denote a menial servant in certain historical or literary contexts, reflecting a more archaic usage.
Strokes7Radical白Frequency#34009DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, soap has historical roots in herbal medicine, where natural ingredients were used for cleansing. The use of soap in modern daily life reflects a blend of traditional practices and contemporary hygiene standards.
Memory Tip
Think of 皂 (zào) as a bar of soap that is 'black' in color. The left side (皿) resembles a dish or a container for washing, while the right side (亥) can remind you of a person (a servant) using soap to clean. Imagine a black bar of soap in a dish to remember its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 皂
zào(zao4)
1soap
2black
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 皂
皂Simplified
7Strokes
白Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#34009Frequency Rank
Podcast: 皂
Podcast: 皂
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AI Study Notes for 皂
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 皂 (zào) with similar-sounding words like 造 (zào), which means 'to make' or 'to build.' This word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 皂液 (zào yè) meaning 'soap solution' or 'liquid soap.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 皂 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be connected to other words related to cleaning and hygiene, like 洗 (xǐ, to wash) or 清洁 (qīngjié, clean). Focus on recognizing its meaning in practical situations, like shopping for personal care items.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 皂 (zào) with 造 (zào), leading to incorrect interpretations in context. For example, saying '我需要一个皂' (I need a soap) when referring to making something instead of using soap. Correct usage would be '我需要一个皂来洗手' (I need a soap to wash my hands).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 皂
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Decomposition of 皂
IDS Structure⿱白七
皂Full Character
=
白Bai2
top
七qi1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 皂?
How to say soap in Chinese
“soap” in Chinese is皂zào
The character 皂 (zào) primarily means 'soap' and can also refer to the color 'black.' It is commonly used in contexts related to cleaning products and personal hygiene. Additionally, it may denote a menial servant in certain historical or literary contexts, reflecting a more archaic usage.
When to use 皂
Be cautious not to confuse 皂 (zào) with similar-sounding words like 造 (zào), which means 'to make' or 'to build.' This word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 皂液 (zào yè) meaning 'soap solution' or 'liquid soap.'
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 皂 (zào) with 造 (zào), leading to incorrect interpretations in context. For example, saying '我需要一个皂' (I need a soap) when referring to making something instead of using soap. Correct usage would be '我需要一个皂来洗手' (I need a soap to wash my hands).
Write 皂
皂
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Practice writing 皂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 皂
皂 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
Complete the Sentence
在拿吃的之前，用热肥____水把手好好地洗干净。
Wash your hands thoroughly with hot soapy water before handling any food.
Example Sentences for 皂 (10)
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1
在拿吃的之前，用热肥皂水把手好好地洗干净。
zài ná chī de zhī qián， ， yòng rè féi zào shuǐ bǎ shǒu hǎo hǎo dì xǐ gān。
Wash your hands thoroughly with hot soapy water before handling any food.
