Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 坐
Quick Contrast
站 (zhàn) - use 坐 (zuò) when referring to sitting, while 站 (zhàn) specifically means to stand.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 坐 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 坐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
The castle is set in 25 acres of beautiful grounds.
Cultural Notes for 坐
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Word Family of 坐
Compounds16
座zuo4seat
挫cuo4obstructed
锉cuo4carpenter's file; to file smooth
矬cuo2short; a dwarf
痤cuo2a swelling of the lymph nodes
銼cuo4carpenter's file; to file smooth
唑zuo4in chemistry, -azole
脞cuo3minced meat; trifles
莝
髽
侳
剉
夎
桽
睉
趖
Words Containing This Character20
坐zuòto sit
坐下zuòxiato sit down
乘坐chéngzuòto ride (in a vehicle)
坐牢to be imprisoned
坐标coordinate (geometry)坐標
坐车to take the car, bus, train etc坐車
坐落zuòluòto be situated
坐镇to oversee坐鎮
静坐to sit quietly靜坐
坐骑mount坐騎
端坐to sit upright
坐垫cushion坐墊
坐立不安restless
围坐to sit in a circle圍坐
坐以待毙to sit and wait for death (idiom); resigned to one's fate坐以待斃
仰卧起坐sit-up (physical exercise)仰臥起坐
坐定to be seated
打坐to meditate
坐骨神经sciatic nerve坐骨神經
坐好to sit properly
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 座 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 坐
No, 坐 can also mean to take a mode of transportation or to sit down for various activities, like eating or talking.
You can use 坐 in sentences like '我坐公交车' (I take the bus) or '请坐' (Please sit).
坐 is the verb for 'to sit,' while 座 refers to a 'seat' or 'base.' They are used in different contexts.
