HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to rent
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to charter
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to rent out
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to lease out
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
rent
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
land tax
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to rent, to lease; tax, rent
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
zū(zu1) T1
1to hire
2to rent
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March 24, 2026
租zū(zu1)
The character 租 (zū) primarily means 'to rent' or 'to lease.' It is commonly used in contexts involving property, vehicles, or equipment, where one party pays another for temporary use. The term can also refer to land tax in certain contexts, highlighting its versatility in both personal and financial matters.
Strokes10Radical禾Frequency#1987DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, renting is a common practice due to the high property prices in urban areas. Many young professionals rent apartments rather than buy, which reflects a shift in housing norms compared to previous generations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'zoo' where animals are 'rented' out for parties. The '土' (earth) radical signifies land, connecting it to the idea of renting property. Remember, 'zoo' and '租' (zū) share a similar sound, making it easier to recall the meaning of renting something.
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AI Study Notes for 租
Quick Contrast
出租 (chūzū) vs 租赁 (zūlìn) — use 租 when referring to the act of renting or leasing in a general sense, while 出租 emphasizes the action of offering something for rent.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 租 with 买 (mǎi, to buy), so it's important to remember that 租 implies temporary possession. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially in real estate. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 租 connects well with other vocabulary related to housing and finance, such as 买 (mǎi, to buy) and 卖 (mài, to sell). Focus on practicing sentences that involve renting scenarios to reinforce its usage.
Common Mistakes
A common error is using 租 when one means to buy; for example, saying '我想租一辆车' (Wǒ xiǎng zū yī liàng chē) when intending to say 'I want to buy a car.' The correct term for buying would be 买 (mǎi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 租
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Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "land tax". The meaning later shifted to "rent" and "hire".
Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "land tax". The meaning later shifted to "rent" and "hire".
1The giveawayRegularly paid 且 tribute in grain 禾
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 租? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 租?
Decomposition of 租
IDS Structure⿰禾且
租Full Character
=
禾he2
left
且qie3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 租?
How to say to hire in Chinese
“to hire” in Chinese is租zū
The character 租 (zū) primarily means 'to rent' or 'to lease.' It is commonly used in contexts involving property, vehicles, or equipment, where one party pays another for temporary use. The term can also refer to land tax in certain contexts, highlighting its versatility in both personal and financial matters.
When to use 租
Learners often confuse 租 with 买 (mǎi, to buy), so it's important to remember that 租 implies temporary possession. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially in real estate. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
租 or something close to it
出租 (chūzū) vs 租赁 (zūlìn) — use 租 when referring to the act of renting or leasing in a general sense, while 出租 emphasizes the action of offering something for rent.
What learners get wrong
A common error is using 租 when one means to buy; for example, saying '我想租一辆车' (Wǒ xiǎng zū yī liàng chē) when intending to say 'I want to buy a car.' The correct term for buying would be 买 (mǎi).
Write 租
租
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Practice writing 租 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 租
租 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 8 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.
