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占 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
占
zhàn
to occupy
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhàn
to take possession of
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhàn
to take up
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhàn
to observe
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhàn
to divine
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhàn
to divine; to observe; to versify
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhān
to occupy
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhān
to take possession of
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhān
to take up
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhān
to observe
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhān
to divine
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
占
zhān
to divine; to observe; to versify
HSK 5, v, 5 strokes, radical ⺊, rank #2765, Hard
zhàn(zhan4)zhan
primary
T4
1to occupy
2to take possession of
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March 24, 2026
占(佔)zhàn(zhan4)
The character 占 (zhān) primarily means 'to take possession of' or 'to occupy.' It is often used in contexts where one entity takes control or is situated in a particular space. Additionally, it can imply the act of observing or divining, particularly in cultural practices like fortune-telling.
Strokes5Radical⺊Frequency#2765DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the practice of divination, often associated with 占, is an integral part of traditions such as Feng Shui, where the positioning of objects is believed to influence fortune and harmony in life.
Memory tip
Think of 占 as a person (the radical '占' resembles a figure) standing firmly in a space, claiming it as their own. Imagine them saying 'I stand (zhān) here!' to reinforce their possession, making it easier to remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 占
zhàn(zhan4)
primary
1to occupy
2to take possession of
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 占
占Simplified
佔Traditional
5Strokes
⺊Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2765Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 占
Podcast: 占
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AI study notes for 占
Quick Contrast
占 (zhàn) vs 佔 (zhàn) — use 占 for the standard meaning of 'to take possession of' or 'to occupy,' while 佔 is more common in traditional contexts or specific phrases.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tonal nuances, as 占 (zhān) is often confused with other similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in both spoken and written forms, and commonly collocates with words like '空间' (kōngjiān - space) and '位置' (wèizhì - position). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where a more precise term would be preferable.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 占 connects with other terms related to possession and observation, such as 位置 (wèizhì - position) and 观察 (guānchá - to observe). Focus on using it in sentences that describe occupying space or making predictions, which will enhance your understanding of its various applications.
Common Mistakes
Learners frequently confuse 占 (zhān) with 占 (zhàn), which has a slightly different meaning. For example, using 占 in a context meant for 'occupy' instead of 'to divine' can lead to misunderstandings, so ensure you are using the correct pronunciation and context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 占
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The character 占 (zhān) primarily means 'to take possession of' or 'to occupy.' It is often used in contexts where one entity takes control or is situated in a particular space. Additionally, it can imply the act of observing or divining, particularly in cultural practices like fortune-telling.
When to use 占
Be mindful of the tonal nuances, as 占 (zhān) is often confused with other similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in both spoken and written forms, and commonly collocates with words like '空间' (kōngjiān - space) and '位置' (wèizhì - position). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where a more precise term would be preferable.
占 or something close to it
占 (zhàn) vs 佔 (zhàn) — use 占 for the standard meaning of 'to take possession of' or 'to occupy,' while 佔 is more common in traditional contexts or specific phrases.
What learners get wrong
Learners frequently confuse 占 (zhān) with 占 (zhàn), which has a slightly different meaning. For example, using 占 in a context meant for 'occupy' instead of 'to divine' can lead to misunderstandings, so ensure you are using the correct pronunciation and context.
Write 占
占
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Practice writing 占 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 占
占 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
军队仍然是男人____据的最后堡垒之一。
The army is still one of the last male bastions.
Common confusions with 占
占vs站
zhàn
Same pronunciation but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “to occupy”?
or
Example sentences for 占 (10)
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1
军队仍然是男人占据的最后堡垒之一。
jūnduì réngrán shì nánrén zhànjù de zuìhòu bǎolěi zhīyī。
They said the bodies were found when rebels recaptured the area.
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Word Family of 占
Compounds54
点diǎnpoint
战zhànto fight
站zhànstation
店diàninn
餐cānmeal
钻zuānvariant of 鑽
贴tiēto stick
粘niánglutinous
沾zhānto moisten
帖tiēfitting snugly
黏niánto stick to; glutinous, sticky; glue
玷diàncharacter flaw; a flaw in a gem
毡zhānfelt; rug, carpet
砧zhēnanvil, flat stone
拈niānto pick up with the fingers; to draw lots
鮎nián
鲇niánsheatfish; Parasilurus asotus
苫shānrush or straw matting
乩jīto divine
呫tièto taste, to sip, to lick; to whisper; petty
坫diàna stand on which to replace goblets after drinking
奌diǎn
怗tiē
扂diàndoor latch
敁diān
痁shān
粲cànbright, radiant; smiling; to polish
蛅zhān
觇chānto peek, to watch; to investigate, to spy on
詀zhān
跕diǎn
鉆chān
阽diàndangerous
飐zhǎnto sway in the wind
佔zhànto possess, to usurp, to take by force
岾hàn
枮xiān
梷jìng
炶shǎn
煔shǎn
秥nián
笘shān
胋tián
袩zhé
覘chānto peek, to watch; to investigate, to spy on
貼tiēto stick, to paste; attached; allowance, subsidy
趈zhān
迠chè
酟tiān
韰xiè
頕dān
颭zhǎnto sway in the wind
黇tiān
點diǎndot, point, speck
Words containing this character20
占zhànto occupy
占据zhànjùto occupy佔據
占领zhànlǐngto hold佔領
占用zhànyòngto occupy佔用
占有zhànyǒuto have佔有
霸占bàzhànto seize霸佔
侵占qīnzhànto invade and occupy (territory)侵佔
占卜zhānbǔto divine
独占dúzhànto monopolize獨佔
抢占qiǎngzhànto seize (the strategic high ground)搶佔
攻占gōngzhàn(fig.) to take by storm
占便宜zhànpiányiadvantageous佔便宜
占上风zhànshàngfēngto take the lead佔上風
占线zhànxiànbusy (telephone line)佔線
拜占庭bàizhàntíngByzantium
占优势zhànyōushìto predominate佔優勢
占地zhàndìto take up space
挤占jǐzhànto seize擠占
强占qiángzhànto occupy by force強佔
占星术zhānxīngshùastrology占星術
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 占
What does 点 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 占
Yes, 占 (zhàn) can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though its usage may vary depending on the phrases and meanings intended. In formal writing, it may appear in legal or academic texts discussing ownership or occupancy.
占 (zhàn) refers to occupying or taking, while 观察 (guān chá) means to observe or watch. 占 implies a more active role in taking up space or a position, whereas 观察 is about passive observation without necessarily taking something.
占 (zhàn) can mean to occupy or take up space, and it is also associated with the act of observing or divining. It is important in contexts where one is discussing possession or the act of taking a position. The character has various usages in different phrases, making it versatile in the language.
To use 占 (zhàn) in a sentence, you can say '我占这个位置' (Wǒ zhàn zhège wèizhì), which means 'I occupy this position.' It's often used to indicate taking up space or time, as well as in more abstract contexts like占卜 (zhàn bǔ) which means to divine or predict.
The correct pronunciation is zhān, with a high level tone.
While it can be used formally, it is better suited for everyday language; consider the context before using it.
Common phrases include 占据 (zhān jù - to occupy) and 占卜 (zhān bǔ - to divine).
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