unknown, 8 strokes, radical 讠, rank #32920, Very Hard
zhū(zhu1) T1
1to execute, to kill; to punish
2to put (a criminal) to death
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March 24, 2026
诛(誅)zhū(zhu1)
The character 诛 (zhū) means to execute or to kill, often in a formal or legal context. It is commonly used to refer to punishing someone severely, particularly in historical or literary settings, and carries a connotation of justice being served.
Strokes8Radical讠Frequency#32920DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the concept of 诛 was often connected to the legal system, where severe punishments were viewed as necessary for maintaining social order. The character is frequently encountered in classical literature that discusses justice and morality.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce warrior with a sword (the radical 口 represents speaking or command) issuing an order to execute a criminal. Visualize him shouting 'zhū!' as he punishes wrongdoers, linking the character's form and sound with the act of executing justice.
Meanings of 诛
zhū(zhu1)
1to execute, to kill; to punish
2to put (a criminal) to death
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 诛
诛Simplified
誅Traditional
8Strokes
讠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 诛
Podcast: 诛
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AI Study Notes for 诛
Quick Contrast
诛 (zhū) vs 杀 (shā) — use 诛 for formal or legal contexts, while 杀 is more general and can refer to killing in various situations.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce warrior with a sword (the radical 口 represents speaking or command) issuing an order to execute a criminal. Visualize him shouting 'zhū!' as he punishes wrongdoers, linking the character's form and sound with the act of executing justice.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 诛 with less severe terms for punishment, as it implies a death sentence. This term is more formal and might not be suitable for everyday conversations. Common collocations include 诛灭 (zhūmiè, to exterminate) and 诛杀 (zhūshā, to kill).
HSK Study Tips
Although 诛 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to punishment and justice, such as 刑罚 (xíngfá, punishment). Focus on its usage in historical texts or literature to grasp its nuances better.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the concept of 诛 was often connected to the legal system, where severe punishments were viewed as necessary for maintaining social order. The character is frequently encountered in classical literature that discusses justice and morality.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 诛 with the less severe term 谴责 (qiǎnzé, to condemn), which does not imply physical punishment. For instance, saying '我会谴责他' (wǒ huì qiǎnzé tā, I will condemn him) instead of '我会诛他' (wǒ huì zhū tā, I will execute him) changes the intended severity of the action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 诛
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Cultural Notes for 诛
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, the concept of 诛 was often connected to the legal system, where severe punishments were viewed as necessary for maintaining social order. The character is frequently encountered in classical literature that discusses justice and morality.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The concept of execution in Chinese culture can often be more formalized and tied to legal codes, while in Western contexts, it may evoke more emotional responses and debates surrounding morality and ethics.
Word Family of 诛
Words Containing This Character14
诛zhūto punish誅
口诛笔伐to denounce by word and pen口誅筆伐
诛杀to kill誅殺
伏诛to be executed伏誅
诛灭to wipe out誅滅
诛戮to put to death誅戮
诛除to wipe out誅除
族诛to execute all of sb's relatives (as punishment) (old)族誅
诛心之论a devastating criticism誅心之論
诛锄to uproot誅鋤
斧钺之诛to die by battle-ax (idiom); to be executed斧鉞之誅
诛求无厌incessant exorbitant demands誅求無厭
诛锄异己to wipe out dissenters誅鋤異己
诛求无已to make endless exorbitant demands誅求無已
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 诛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 诛
It's primarily found in historical texts or discussions of justice; in modern contexts, more general terms for punishment are preferred.
It is not typically used in casual conversation due to its serious meaning and formal tone.
Synonyms might include 杀 (shā, to kill) or 处决 (chǔjué, to execute), but each has its own nuances.
