HSK 6, zg, 13 strokes, radical 罒, rank #1085, Hard
罪
zuì
crime
HSK 6, zg, 13 strokes, radical 罒, rank #1085, Hard
罪
zuì
fault
HSK 6, zg, 13 strokes, radical 罒, rank #1085, Hard
罪
zuì
blame
HSK 6, zg, 13 strokes, radical 罒, rank #1085, Hard
罪
zuì
sin
HSK 6, zg, 13 strokes, radical 罒, rank #1085, Hard
罪
zuì
sin, vice; fault, guilt; crime
HSK 6, zg, 13 strokes, radical 罒, rank #1085, Hard
zuì(zui4) T4
1guilt
2crime
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March 24, 2026
罪zuì(zui4)
The character 罪 (zuì) refers to wrongdoing, sin, or crime. It conveys a sense of moral or legal fault and is often used in discussions of ethics, law, and personal responsibility. This term can reflect both societal and personal judgments about actions deemed harmful or unethical.
Strokes13Radical罒Frequency#1085DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 罪 is often tied to Confucian values, where moral failings are seen as a reflection of one's character and family honor. Discussions of sin or crime can invoke deep cultural implications regarding familial and societal expectations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a heavy burden of guilt represented by a large '罪' (zuì) written on their back. This imagery connects the character's form to its meaning, as carrying '罪' symbolizes the weight of one's actions and decisions, both in moral and legal contexts.
Meanings of 罪
zuì(zui4)
1guilt
2crime
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 罪
罪Simplified
13Strokes
罒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#1085Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 罪
Podcast: 罪
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AI Study Notes for 罪
Quick Contrast
罪 (zuì) vs 过失 (guòshī) — use 罪 for moral or legal wrongdoing, while 过失 refers to a mistake or oversight, often without moral implications.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 罪 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in legal discussions. Common collocations include 罪行 (zuìxíng, crime) and 罪恶 (zuì'è, evil). Avoid confusing it with similar characters like 错 (cuò), which means mistake rather than a serious wrongdoing.
HSK Study Tips
While 罪 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to other HSK words like 法律 (fǎlǜ, law) and 责任 (zérèn, responsibility). Focus on using it in context, especially when discussing moral or legal issues.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 罪 with 过 (guò), which refers to a mistake or error rather than a crime. For instance, saying '我有一个罪' (wǒ yǒu yīgè zuì) implies one has a crime, which can sound overly dramatic; instead, use '我犯了错误' (wǒ fànle cuòwù) to indicate a mistake.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 罪
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Phonosemantic compound. 网 represents the meaning and 非 represents the sound.
1The giveawayA net 罒 of wrongdoing 非
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 罪? 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 罪?
Decomposition of 罪
IDS Structure⿱罒非
罪Full Character
=
罒wang3
top
非Fei1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 罪?
How to say guilt in Chinese
“guilt” in Chinese is罪zuì
The character 罪 (zuì) refers to wrongdoing, sin, or crime. It conveys a sense of moral or legal fault and is often used in discussions of ethics, law, and personal responsibility. This term can reflect both societal and personal judgments about actions deemed harmful or unethical.
When to use 罪
Be mindful that 罪 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in legal discussions. Common collocations include 罪行 (zuìxíng, crime) and 罪恶 (zuì'è, evil). Avoid confusing it with similar characters like 错 (cuò), which means mistake rather than a serious wrongdoing.
罪 or something close to it
罪 (zuì) vs 过失 (guòshī) — use 罪 for moral or legal wrongdoing, while 过失 refers to a mistake or oversight, often without moral implications.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 罪 with 过 (guò), which refers to a mistake or error rather than a crime. For instance, saying '我有一个罪' (wǒ yǒu yīgè zuì) implies one has a crime, which can sound overly dramatic; instead, use '我犯了错误' (wǒ fànle cuòwù) to indicate a mistake.
Write 罪
罪
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Practice writing 罪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 罪
罪 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
