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扎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
扎zhāto prickHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāto run or stick (a needle etc) intoHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāto tieHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhājug (a classifier for liquids such as beer)HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāto bindHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāclassifier for flowers, banknotes etc: bundleHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāTaiwan pr. [zhá]HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāpenetrating (as of cold)HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāstruggleHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāto bind, to wrap; to pierce; to stopHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhāTaiwan pr. [zha2]HSK 6, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháto prickHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháto run or stick (a needle etc) intoHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháto tieHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhájug (a classifier for liquids such as beer)HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháto bindHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháclassifier for flowers, banknotes etc: bundleHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháTaiwan pr. [zhá]HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhápenetrating (as of cold)HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zhástruggleHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháto bind, to wrap; to pierce; to stopHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zháTaiwan pr. [zha2]HSK 6, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāto prickHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāto run or stick (a needle etc) intoHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāto tieHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zājug (a classifier for liquids such as beer)HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāto bindHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāclassifier for flowers, banknotes etc: bundleHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāTaiwan pr. [zhá]HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāpenetrating (as of cold)HSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāstruggleHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāto bind, to wrap; to pierce; to stopHSK 6, v, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
扎zāTaiwan pr. [zha2]HSK 6, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 扌, rank #3290, Hard
zā(za1)za
primary
 T1
  1. 1to prick
  2. 2to run or stick (a needle etc) into
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March 24, 2026

扎zā(za1)

The character 扎 (zā) primarily means 'to prick' or 'to stick something into.' It is commonly used in contexts involving binding or piercing, such as with needles or tying objects together. This word can also refer to a classifier for bundles of items like flowers or banknotes.

Strokes4Radical扌Frequency#3290DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of '扎' is significant in practices like acupuncture, where needles are '扎' into specific points on the body for therapeutic effects. This highlights the cultural importance of binding and piercing in health practices.

Memory tip

Imagine a needle '扎' (zā) that pricks through fabric. The sharp point of the needle represents the action of piercing or sticking, and the sound 'zā' can be associated with the sound of air escaping as something is pricked, helping you remember the meaning.

Meanings of 扎

zā(za1)
primary
1to prick
2to run or stick (a needle etc) into
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 扎 means.

About 扎

扎Simplified
4Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3290Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 扎

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Podcast: 扎

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AI study notes for 扎

Quick Contrast

扎 (zā) vs 刺 (cì) — use 扎 when referring to binding or sticking something together, whereas 刺 specifically means to stab or pierce sharply.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 扎 with its variant 紮 (zhā) due to their similar meanings, so it's important to use them in the correct context. '扎' is more commonly used in informal settings, while 紮 may appear in more formal contexts. Watch out for tone pronunciation; '扎' is pronounced with the first tone (zā).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 level word, 扎 connects to themes of action and physical interaction, which are common in advanced vocabulary. Focus on how this word can be applied in both practical and abstract contexts, such as in discussions about crafting or binding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 扎 with 相 (xiāng) due to their contrasting meanings. For example, saying '我扎相' (Wǒ zā xiāng) instead of '我扎针' (Wǒ zā zhēn) leads to confusion, as the former does not make sense.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 扎

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Etymology of 扎

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A hand 扌 tying a bundle with string 乚

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 扎?

Decomposition of 扎

IDS Structure⿰扌乚
扎Full character
=
扌shou3
left
乚gou1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 扎?

How to say to prick in Chinese

“to prick” in Chinese is扎zhā

The character 扎 (zā) primarily means 'to prick' or 'to stick something into.' It is commonly used in contexts involving binding or piercing, such as with needles or tying objects together. This word can also refer to a classifier for bundles of items like flowers or banknotes.

When to use 扎

Learners often confuse 扎 with its variant 紮 (zhā) due to their similar meanings, so it's important to use them in the correct context. '扎' is more commonly used in informal settings, while 紮 may appear in more formal contexts. Watch out for tone pronunciation; '扎' is pronounced with the first tone (zā).

扎 or something close to it

扎 (zā) vs 刺 (cì) — use 扎 when referring to binding or sticking something together, whereas 刺 specifically means to stab or pierce sharply.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 扎 with 相 (xiāng) due to their contrasting meanings. For example, saying '我扎相' (Wǒ zā xiāng) instead of '我扎针' (Wǒ zā zhēn) leads to confusion, as the former does not make sense.

Write 扎

扎

Practice writing 扎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 扎

扎 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 11 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他的士兵袭击了瓜____坦，擒获了一名俘虏。

His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.

Example sentences for 扎 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他的士兵袭击了瓜扎坦，擒获了一名俘虏。

tā de shìbīng xíjī le guā zā tǎn， qín huò le yī míng fúlǔ。

His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.
2
他把口袋扎紧，拿到外边。

tā bǎ kǒudai zā jǐn， nádào wàibian。

He tied up the bag and took it outside.
3
乔治疯狂地挣扎，不断在水面上浮浮沉沉。

qiáo zhì fēngkuáng dì zhēngzhá， búduàn zài shuǐmiàn shàng fú fú chén chén。

George struggled wildly, going under and resurfacing at regular intervals.
4
刀扎在了他脚边的地上。

dāo zā zài le tā jiǎo biān de dìshang。

The knife stuck in the ground at his feet.
5
我甚至见过她在扎拉淘气的时候使劲摇晃她。

wǒ shènzhì jiànguò tā zài zā lā táoqì de shíhou shǐjìn yáohuàng tā。

I've even seen her shake Zara when she's been naughty.
6
一只轮胎被扎破后，他的车翻了个底朝天。

yī zhī lúntāi bèi zā pò hòu， tā de chē fān le gè de cháo tiān。

His car rolled over after a tyre was punctured.
7
有个小流氓昨晚扎了她一刀。

yǒu gè xiǎo liúmáng zuó wǎn zā le tā yī dāo。

Some punk stuck a knife in her last night.
8
显然，莫扎特在二十几岁到三十刚出头时，身体非常好。

xiǎnrán， mò zā tè zài èr shí jǐsuì dào sān shí gāng chūtóu shí， shēntǐ fēicháng hǎo。

Mozart clearly enjoyed good health throughout his twenties and early thirties.
9
我买了条非常好的扎染丝巾。

wǒ mǎi le tiáo fēicháng hǎode zā rǎn sī jīn。

I bought a great tie-dyed silk scarf.
10
他把衬衣从背上脱了下来, 包扎好伤口.

tā bǎ chènyī cóng bēi shàng tuō le xiàlái, bāozā hǎo shāngkǒu.

Stripping the shirt from his back, he bound the wound.

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Cultural Notes for 扎

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western contexts, the act of pricking or piercing is often associated with medical procedures, while in Chinese culture, it also carries a strong connection to traditional arts and crafts like flower arranging.

Word Family of 扎

Words containing this character20
扎zāto prick
挣扎zhēngzháto struggle掙扎
扎实zhāshistrong扎實
驻扎zhùzhāto station駐紮
包扎bāozāto wrap up包紮
结扎jiézāligation (medicine)結扎
莫扎特mòzhātèWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Austrian composer
扎根zhāgēnto take root
扎扎实实zhāzhashíshífirm扎扎實實
扎营zhāyíngto camp紮營
垂死挣扎chuísǐzhēngzhádeathbed struggle垂死掙扎
卡扎菲kǎzhāfēi(Colonel Muammar) Gaddafi (1942-2011), de facto leader of Libya from 1969-2011
扎针zhāzhēnto give or have an acupuncture treatment扎針
稳扎稳打wěnzhāwěndǎfig. steadily and surely穩扎穩打
安营扎寨ānyíngzhāzhàito set up camp安營紮寨
扎伊尔zhāyī’ěrZaire扎伊爾
扎眼zhāyǎngarish
巴尔扎克bā’ěrzhākèHonoré de Balzac (1799-1850), French novelist, author of series La comédie humaine巴爾扎克
卡尔扎伊kǎ’ěrzāyīHamid Karzai (1957-), Afghan politician, president 2004-2014卡爾紮伊
阿布扎比ābùzhābǐAbu Dhabi, capital of United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 扎

What does 挣扎 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 扎

You can say '我用针扎了布' (Wǒ yòng zhēn zā le bù) meaning 'I pricked the fabric with a needle.'

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