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褚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
褚chǔsurname Chuunknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚chǔbag, valise; to pad, to stuff; surnamenr, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚chǔpadding (in garment)unknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚chǔto store upunknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚chǔpocketunknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚chǔTaiwan pr. [chu3]unknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚zhǔsurname Chuunknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚zhǔbag, valise; to pad, to stuff; surnamenr, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚zhǔpadding (in garment)unknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚zhǔto store upunknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚zhǔpocketunknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
褚zhǔTaiwan pr. [chu3]unknown, 13 strokes, radical 衤
chǔ(Chu3)
primary
 T3
  1. 1surname Chu
  2. 2bag, valise; to pad, to stuff; surname
Also a Chinese surname, Chu — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

褚chǔ(Chu3)

The character 褚 (chǔ) primarily refers to a type of bag or valise used for storage. It can also denote the act of padding or stuffing, commonly in the context of garments. Additionally, it serves as a surname in Chinese culture, adding a layer of significance in familial contexts.

Strokes13Radical衤
Cultural Note

The surname 褚 is associated with notable historical figures in Chinese history, particularly during the Tang Dynasty, which adds cultural depth to the character beyond its literal meanings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a character named 'Chu' who loves to stuff his bag (褚) with all sorts of things. Visualize him padding the bag with soft items to protect them, which connects the shape of the character's components to its meaning.

Meanings of 褚

chǔ(Chu3)
primary
1bag, valise; to pad, to stuff; surname
2padding (in garment)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 褚

褚Simplified
13Strokes
衤Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 褚

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Podcast: 褚

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 褚

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 褚 is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may be more relevant in literary or formal contexts. Students often confuse this character with similar-sounding ones, so focus on the pronunciation and tone. Common collocations include terms related to storage or padding.

HSK Study Tips

Although 褚 is not included in the HSK curriculum, understanding it can enhance vocabulary related to storage and clothing. Focus on the character's components and practice related terms to build a broader context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 褚 with similar characters like 褐 (hè), which means 'brown'. A common mistake could be using 褚 to refer to colors or materials, where '褐' would be appropriate. Always verify the context when using these characters.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 褚

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Etymology of 褚

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

Phonosemantic compound. 衤 represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

cloth

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 褚

Phonosemantic compound. 衤 represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half衤 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half者 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaycloth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 褚? 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 褚?

Decomposition of 褚

IDS Structure⿰衤者
褚Full Character
=
衤yi1
left
者zhe3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 褚?

How to say surname Chu in Chinese

“surname Chu” in Chinese is褚chǔ

The character 褚 (chǔ) primarily refers to a type of bag or valise used for storage. It can also denote the act of padding or stuffing, commonly in the context of garments. Additionally, it serves as a surname in Chinese culture, adding a layer of significance in familial contexts.

When to use 褚

Be mindful that 褚 is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may be more relevant in literary or formal contexts. Students often confuse this character with similar-sounding ones, so focus on the pronunciation and tone. Common collocations include terms related to storage or padding.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 褚 with similar characters like 褐 (hè), which means 'brown'. A common mistake could be using 褚 to refer to colors or materials, where '褐' would be appropriate. Always verify the context when using these characters.

Write 褚

褚

Practice writing 褚 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 褚

Words Containing This Character2
褚chǔpocket
褚遂良Chu Suiliang (596-659), one of Four Great Calligraphers of early Tang 唐初四大家[Táng​chū​Sì​Dà​jiā]
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 褚 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 褚

In everyday language, 褚 mainly refers to a type of bag or valise, though it is not frequently used.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 褚?

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.