HSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 穴, rank #11030, Hard
窄
zhǎi
narrow-minded
HSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 穴, rank #11030, Hard
窄
zhǎi
badly off
HSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 穴, rank #11030, Hard
窄
zhǎi
narrow, tight; narrow-minded
HSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 穴, rank #11030, Hard
zhǎi(zhai3) T3
1narrow
2narrow-minded
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March 24, 2026
窄zhǎi(zhai3)
The character 窄 (zhǎi) primarily means 'narrow' or 'tight,' often used to describe physical spaces, such as roads or clothing. It can also refer to a person's mindset or outlook, indicating narrow-mindedness. In contexts of financial or social status, it can describe someone who is badly off or not well-off.
Strokes10Radical穴Frequency#11030DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, narrow-mindedness can be viewed negatively, often associated with inflexibility in social or familial contexts. The character is relevant in discussions about personal growth and openness to new ideas.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tight space, like a narrow alley, where two people can't pass by easily. The character 窄 has a '窓' (window) radical on the left, which can remind you of looking through a narrow window, emphasizing the constricted space. The pronunciation 'zhǎi' sounds like 'sigh' when you realize you can't fit through.
Meanings of 窄
zhǎi(zhai3)
1narrow
2narrow-minded
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 窄
窄Simplified
10Strokes
穴Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#11030Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 窄
Podcast: 窄
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AI Study Notes for 窄
Quick Contrast
窄 (zhǎi, narrow) vs 狭 (xiá, narrow) — use 窄 for physical dimensions and 狭 for figurative or metaphorical contexts.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 窄 with 宽 (kuān), which means 'wide.' This word is generally informal but can be used in formal contexts. Common collocations include '道路窄' (narrow road) and '观点窄' (narrow viewpoint). Pay attention to the third tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 窄 connects with other terms describing dimensions and qualities, such as 宽 (kuān) for 'wide' and 大 (dà) for 'big.' Focus on using this word in sentences that contrast width or describe limitations in space or thinking.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 窄 with 矮 (ǎi), which means 'short' in height. For example, saying '这个地方很矮' (This place is very short) instead of '这个地方很窄' (This place is very narrow) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 窄
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Phonosemantic compound. 穴 represents the meaning and 乍 represents the sound.
1The meaning half穴 carries the sense.
2The sound half乍 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaycave
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 窄? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 窄?
Decomposition of 窄
IDS Structure⿱穴乍
窄Full Character
=
穴xue2
top
乍zha4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 窄?
How to say narrow in Chinese
“narrow” in Chinese is窄zhǎi
The character 窄 (zhǎi) primarily means 'narrow' or 'tight,' often used to describe physical spaces, such as roads or clothing. It can also refer to a person's mindset or outlook, indicating narrow-mindedness. In contexts of financial or social status, it can describe someone who is badly off or not well-off.
When to use 窄
Be cautious not to confuse 窄 with 宽 (kuān), which means 'wide.' This word is generally informal but can be used in formal contexts. Common collocations include '道路窄' (narrow road) and '观点窄' (narrow viewpoint). Pay attention to the third tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
窄 or something close to it
窄 (zhǎi, narrow) vs 狭 (xiá, narrow) — use 窄 for physical dimensions and 狭 for figurative or metaphorical contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 窄 with 矮 (ǎi), which means 'short' in height. For example, saying '这个地方很矮' (This place is very short) instead of '这个地方很窄' (This place is very narrow) is incorrect.
Write 窄
窄
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Practice writing 窄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 窄
窄 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
