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座 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
座
zuò
seat
HSK 4, q, 10 strokes, radical 广, rank #972, Medium
座
zuò
base
HSK 4, q, 10 strokes, radical 广, rank #972, Medium
座
zuò
stand
HSK 4, q, 10 strokes, radical 广, rank #972, Medium
座
zuò
classifier for buildings, mountains and similar immovable objects
HSK 4, q, 10 strokes, radical 广, rank #972, Medium
zuò(zuo4)zuo T4
1seat
2base
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March 24, 2026
座zuò(zuo4)
The character 座 (zuò) primarily means 'seat' or 'base', and is commonly used as a classifier for immovable objects such as buildings and mountains. It can also imply a position of sitting or a location, often indicating the status or condition of something.
Strokes10Radical广Frequency#972DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of seating is often important in social contexts, such as during banquets where seating arrangements can indicate status and relationships among guests. The use of 座 is also prevalent in traditional Chinese architecture, referring to prominent structures.
Memory tip
Imagine a person sitting on a large 'seat' (座) that resembles a sturdy base. The two horizontal lines represent the support for the seat, while the vertical lines symbolize the structure that it stands on, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'zuò'.
Meanings of 座
zuò(zuo4)
1seat
2base
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 座
座Simplified
10Strokes
广Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#972Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 座
Podcast: 座
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AI study notes for 座
Quick Contrast
座 (zuò) vs 椅 (yǐ) — use 座 for immovable objects or locations, while 椅 refers specifically to chairs.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 座 with 坐 (zuò), which means 'to sit'. While both share the same pronunciation, they have different meanings and usage contexts. '座' is often used in formal contexts when referring to locations or structures, such as '座山' (mountain) or '座位' (seat).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 4, students should focus on using 座 in context with other classifiers and learning to differentiate it from similar characters. Practice sentences that involve buildings or seating arrangements to solidify understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 座 with 坐 due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我坐在这个座上' (wǒ zuò zài zhège zuò shàng) is incorrect; it should be '我坐在这个椅子上' (wǒ zuò zài zhège yǐzi shàng) for 'I am sitting on this chair'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 座
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The character 座 (zuò) primarily means 'seat' or 'base', and is commonly used as a classifier for immovable objects such as buildings and mountains. It can also imply a position of sitting or a location, often indicating the status or condition of something.
When to use 座
Be careful not to confuse 座 with 坐 (zuò), which means 'to sit'. While both share the same pronunciation, they have different meanings and usage contexts. '座' is often used in formal contexts when referring to locations or structures, such as '座山' (mountain) or '座位' (seat).
座 or something close to it
座 (zuò) vs 椅 (yǐ) — use 座 for immovable objects or locations, while 椅 refers specifically to chairs.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 座 with 坐 due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我坐在这个座上' (wǒ zuò zài zhège zuò shàng) is incorrect; it should be '我坐在这个椅子上' (wǒ zuò zài zhège yǐzi shàng) for 'I am sitting on this chair'.
Write 座
座
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Grammar patterns of 座
座 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 4 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.
For safety reasons, please fasten your seatbelt and keep the seat back upright during takeoff and landing.
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Cultural Notes for 座
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of seating is significant, especially in formal settings. The arrangement of seats at a banquet is often meticulously planned to reflect social hierarchy.
Word Family of 座
Compounds1
蓙zuò
Words containing this character20
座zuòseat
座位zuòwèiseat
星座xīngzuòconstellation
狮子座shīzizuòLeo (constellation and sign of the zodiac)獅子座
在座zàizuòto be present
天蝎座tiānxiēzuòScorpio or Scorpius (constellation and sign of the zodiac)天蠍座
双子座shuāngzǐzuòGemini (constellation and sign of the zodiac)雙子座
金牛座jīnniúzuòTaurus (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
巨蟹座jùxièzuòCancer (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
讲座jiǎngzuòa course of lectures講座
双鱼座shuāngyúzuòPisces (constellation and sign of the zodiac)雙魚座
天秤座tiānchèngzuòLibra (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
后座hòuzuòempress's throne
白羊座báiyángzuòAries (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
座谈会zuòtánhuìconference座談會
摩羯座mójiézuòCapricornus
座椅zuòyǐseat
猎户座lièhùzuòOrion (constellation)獵戶座
宝座bǎozuòthrone寶座
座右铭zuòyòumíngmotto座右銘
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 座
What does 座位 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 座
座 (zuò) generally refers to a seat or base, while 椅子 (yǐzi) specifically means 'chair.' 座 is used for larger structures as a classifier, while 椅子 is a noun for a type of seating furniture.
Yes, 座 (zuò) can be used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing locations, buildings, or seating arrangements. It's a versatile word that appears in various contexts, making it quite useful for learners.
座 (zuò) means 'seat' or 'base' in Chinese. It is also used as a classifier for immovable objects such as buildings and mountains. Understanding this character can help you describe locations and structures more effectively in conversation.
You can use 座 (zuò) in sentences to refer to a specific seat or to classify buildings. For example, you might say '这座大楼很高' (Zhè zuò dàlóu hěn gāo), which means 'This building is very tall.' This illustrates its use as a classifier.
When counting seats or buildings, use 座 followed by a number, such as '两个座' (liǎng gè zuò) for 'two seats'.
No, 座 is typically used for fixed seats such as those in theaters or vehicles. For movable chairs, you might use 椅子 (yǐzi) instead.
座 (zuò) refers to a seat or base, while 坐 (zuò) means 'to sit'. They are pronounced the same but have different meanings.
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