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紂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
紂zhòusaddle strap, harness; an emperorx, 9 strokes, radical 糹
zhòu(zhou4) T4
  1. 1saddle strap, harness; an emperor
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

紂zhòu(zhou4)

The character 紂 (zhòu) primarily refers to a type of saddle strap or harness used in ancient China, particularly in the context of horse riding. Additionally, it is historically associated with the last emperor of the Shang Dynasty, known for his tyrannical rule, which provides a deeper cultural significance to the term.

Strokes9Radical糹
Cultural Note

The character 紂 is closely tied to the historical figure of King Zhou of Shang, who is often cited as a symbol of despotic rule in Chinese literature and folklore, reflecting the moral lessons about governance and leadership.

Memory Tip

Imagine a horse with a shiny saddle strap (the 'zhòu') that is so well-crafted that it glimmers in the sun. The saddle strap keeps the rider secure, just as the emperor's rule once kept the kingdom in line, albeit with a heavy hand.

Meanings of 紂

zhòu(zhou4)
1saddle strap, harness; an emperor
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 紂

紂Simplified
9Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 紂

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Podcast: 紂

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AI Study Notes for 紂

Usage Notes

While 紂 can refer to both a saddle strap and an emperor, it's important to use it in the appropriate historical or literary context. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters; it is quite formal and rarely used in everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

As this character is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on its historical and literary uses. Understanding the context of ancient Chinese history can help in grasping its significance, especially when studying the Shang Dynasty.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 紂 with similar characters like 皱 (zhòu), which means 'wrinkle'. Remember that 紂 specifically relates to a saddle strap or a historical emperor, while 皱 has an entirely different meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 紂

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Etymology of 紂

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)糹
+
Phonetic (sound)寸
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 紂

  1. 1The meaning half糹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half寸 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaythread
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 紂? 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 紂?

Decomposition of 紂

IDS Structure⿰糹寸
紂Full Character
=
糹si1
left
寸cun4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 紂?

How to say saddle strap, harness; an emperor in Chinese

“saddle strap, harness; an emperor” in Chinese is紂zhòu

The character 紂 (zhòu) primarily refers to a type of saddle strap or harness used in ancient China, particularly in the context of horse riding. Additionally, it is historically associated with the last emperor of the Shang Dynasty, known for his tyrannical rule, which provides a deeper cultural significance to the term.

When to use 紂

While 紂 can refer to both a saddle strap and an emperor, it's important to use it in the appropriate historical or literary context. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters; it is quite formal and rarely used in everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 紂 with similar characters like 皱 (zhòu), which means 'wrinkle'. Remember that 紂 specifically relates to a saddle strap or a historical emperor, while 皱 has an entirely different meaning.

Write 紂

紂

Practice writing 紂 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 紂

Words Containing This Character4
助纣为虐giving succor to the enemy助紂為虐
纣zhòusaddle crupper (harness strap on horse's back)紂
武王伐纣King Wu of Zhou 周武王[Zhōu​Wǔ​wáng] overthrows tyrant Zhou of Shang 商紂王|商纣王[Shāng​Zhòu​wáng]武王伐紂
商纣王King Zhou of Shang (11th century BC), notorious as a cruel tyrant商紂王
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 助纣为虐 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 紂

In modern usage, 紂 is not commonly used; it mainly refers to the historical figure or is found in literary contexts.

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