(suffix indicating firmness, steadiness, or coming to a halt)
HSK 1, v, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #209, Easy
住
zhù
to reside, to live at, to dwell, to lodge; to stop
HSK 1, v, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #209, Easy
zhù(zhu4)zhu T4
1to live
2to dwell
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March 24, 2026
住zhù(zhu4)
The character 住 (zhù) means 'to live' or 'to dwell,' commonly used to indicate where someone resides or stays. It can also imply a sense of stability or halting movement. This character is frequently encountered in daily conversations regarding living arrangements or places of residence.
Strokes7Radical亻Frequency#209DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of home and where one resides is deeply tied to family and social relationships. The importance of one's residence is often reflected in discussions about family gatherings and community ties.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small house with a person standing still inside it. The character 住 looks like a person (the top part) standing firmly underneath a roof (the bottom part). This visual can help you remember 'live' and 'stay' as the person is living securely under the roof.
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AI Study Notes for 住
Quick Contrast
居 (jū) - use 住 (zhù) when emphasizing the act of residing in a place, whereas 居 (jū) often conveys a sense of residing or living in a more general or abstract context.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 住 with other similar verbs like 留 (liú, to stay temporarily) or 居 (jū, to reside). 住 is more permanent and typically used in a residential context. Be careful with tone; the fourth tone in zhù must be pronounced firmly to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 1 word, 住 connects well with other basic verbs like 吃 (chī, to eat) and 喝 (hē, to drink). Focus on using 住 in simple sentences about your home, such as 我住在北京 (Wǒ zhù zài Běijīng - I live in Beijing) to reinforce its meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly say 我住在学校 (Wǒ zhù zài xuéxiào) meaning 'I live at school.' This could imply a permanent residence, which may be misleading. Instead, specify if you are just staying temporarily, using 留 (liú) for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 住
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Knowing 住 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 住 (zhù) means 'to live' or 'to dwell,' commonly used to indicate where someone resides or stays. It can also imply a sense of stability or halting movement. This character is frequently encountered in daily conversations regarding living arrangements or places of residence.
When to use 住
Common mistakes include confusing 住 with other similar verbs like 留 (liú, to stay temporarily) or 居 (jū, to reside). 住 is more permanent and typically used in a residential context. Be careful with tone; the fourth tone in zhù must be pronounced firmly to avoid confusion.
住 or something close to it
居 (jū) - use 住 (zhù) when emphasizing the act of residing in a place, whereas 居 (jū) often conveys a sense of residing or living in a more general or abstract context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly say 我住在学校 (Wǒ zhù zài xuéxiào) meaning 'I live at school.' This could imply a permanent residence, which may be misleading. Instead, specify if you are just staying temporarily, using 留 (liú) for clarity.
Write 住
住
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Practice writing 住 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 住
住 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
