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March 24, 2026
坐zuò(Zuo4)
The character 坐 (zuò) primarily means 'to sit' or 'to take a seat.' It is commonly used in contexts involving seating arrangements, transportation, and even figurative expressions of stability or rest. The word can also imply the act of taking a mode of transport, such as a bus or airplane.
Strokes7Radical土Frequency#261DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, offering a seat to guests is a sign of respect and hospitality. The act of sitting down together often signifies the beginning of important discussions or sharing of meals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sitting down, forming the base of their body as the flat surface of the character 坐. The left side resembles a person with their legs crossed, indicating a relaxed posture, while the right side represents a seat beneath them. Think of 'zuò' sounding like 'zoo,' where animals sit around.
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AI Study Notes for 坐
Quick Contrast
站 (zhàn) - use 坐 (zuò) when referring to sitting, while 站 (zhàn) specifically means to stand.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 坐 with 座 (zuò), which refers to a seat or a base. 坐 is more about the action of sitting, while 座 emphasizes the concept of a seat. Remember to use 坐 in informal settings, like asking someone to sit down, and be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 坐 connects to basic verbs and actions. Students should focus on using it in simple sentences, such as '我坐在这里' (I sit here), and practice its pronunciation. Understanding 坐 will help with learning related verbs and phrases in the future.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 坐 with the pronunciation of 座, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我座在这里' instead of '我坐在这里' (I sit here) is a common mistake.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 坐
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How Well Do You Know 坐?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 坐 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 坐 (zuò) primarily means 'to sit' or 'to take a seat.' It is commonly used in contexts involving seating arrangements, transportation, and even figurative expressions of stability or rest. The word can also imply the act of taking a mode of transport, such as a bus or airplane.
When to use 坐
Learners often confuse 坐 with 座 (zuò), which refers to a seat or a base. 坐 is more about the action of sitting, while 座 emphasizes the concept of a seat. Remember to use 坐 in informal settings, like asking someone to sit down, and be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
坐 or something close to it
站 (zhàn) - use 坐 (zuò) when referring to sitting, while 站 (zhàn) specifically means to stand.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 坐 with the pronunciation of 座, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我座在这里' instead of '我坐在这里' (I sit here) is a common mistake.
Write 坐
坐
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Grammar Patterns of 坐
坐 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 6 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.
