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播种 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
播种bōzhǒngto sow seedsHSK 6, v, 24 strokes, rank #22233, Hard
播种bōzhǒngsowingHSK 6, v, 24 strokes, rank #22233, Hard
播种bōzhǒngseedHSK 6, v, 24 strokes, rank #22233, Hard
bōzhǒng(bo1zhong3)bo zhong T1
  1. 1to sow seeds
  2. 2sowing
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March 24, 2026

播种(播種)bōzhǒng(bo1zhong3)

播种 (bō zhǒng) means 'to sow seeds' in the context of agriculture. It is commonly used to describe the act of planting seeds in soil to grow crops. Besides its literal meaning, it can also metaphorically refer to initiating an idea or project that will grow over time.

Strokes24Frequency#22233DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, agriculture has deep historical significance, and the practice of 播种 is often celebrated during festivals like the Spring Festival, symbolizing hope for a fruitful year ahead.

Memory tip

Imagine a farmer named Bo (播) who is carefully planting (种) seeds in a row. The more seeds he plants, the more crops he will yield. Visualize him wearing a big hat to shield him from the sun while he diligently works the land, connecting '播' to 'sowing' and '种' to 'growing'.

Meanings of 播种

bōzhǒng(bo1zhong3)
1to sow seeds
2sowing
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 播种

播种Simplified
播種Traditional
24Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#22233Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6TOCFLL5HSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

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Podcast: 播种

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AI study notes for 播种

Quick Contrast

播撒 (bōsǎ) — use 播种 when referring specifically to the act of sowing seeds for crops, while 播撒 can refer to scattering seeds more generally.

Usage Notes

When using 播种, be mindful of its context; it is generally used in agricultural discussions or metaphorically in business or creative contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar terms like 种植 (zhòngzhí), which means 'to cultivate' rather than just 'to sow'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 播种 connects well with vocabulary related to agriculture, growth, and development. Students should focus on understanding its metaphorical uses alongside its literal meaning, as both are important in advanced conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 播种 with 播放 (bōfàng), which means 'to play (a video or music)'. For example, saying '我播种音乐' (Wǒ bō zhǒng yīnyuè) instead of '我播放音乐' (Wǒ bōfàng yīnyuè) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 播种

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Component characters

播bōto sow
HSK 615 strokes扌
View full entry
种zhǒngseed
HSK 39 strokes禾
View full entry

How to say to sow seeds in Chinese

“to sow seeds” in Chinese is播种bōzhǒng

播种 (bō zhǒng) means 'to sow seeds' in the context of agriculture. It is commonly used to describe the act of planting seeds in soil to grow crops. Besides its literal meaning, it can also metaphorically refer to initiating an idea or project that will grow over time.

When to use 播种

When using 播种, be mindful of its context; it is generally used in agricultural discussions or metaphorically in business or creative contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar terms like 种植 (zhòngzhí), which means 'to cultivate' rather than just 'to sow'.

播种 or something close to it

播撒 (bōsǎ) — use 播种 when referring specifically to the act of sowing seeds for crops, while 播撒 can refer to scattering seeds more generally.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 播种 with 播放 (bōfàng), which means 'to play (a video or music)'. For example, saying '我播种音乐' (Wǒ bō zhǒng yīnyuè) instead of '我播放音乐' (Wǒ bōfàng yīnyuè) is incorrect.

Write 播种

播
种

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

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Grammar patterns of 播种

播种 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 3 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.

在深约0.5英寸,间隔12英寸的条播沟里____。

Sow the seeds in drills about 1/2in. deep and 12in. apart.

Example sentences for 播种 (4)

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1
在深约0.5英寸,间隔12英寸的条播沟里播种。

zài shēn yāo0.5 Yīng cùn, jiàngé12 Yīng cùn de tiáo bō gōu lǐ bōzhǒng。

Sow the seeds in drills about 1/2in. deep and 12in. apart.
2
2月或3月里把种子播种在温暖的地方。

2 yuè huò3 yuè lǐ bǎ zhǒngzi bōzhǒng zài wēnnuǎn de dìfang。

Sow the seed in a warm place in February/March.
3
作物的秆被留着以便犁入土中作下次播种的肥料.

zuòwù de gǎn bèi liú zhe yǐbiàn lí rù tǔ zhōng zuō xiàcì bōzhǒng de féiliào.

The stalks are left to be ploughed into the earth for the next planting.
4
全部土地都翻耕过了, 准备播种.

quánbù tǔdì dōu fān gēng guò le, zhǔnbèi bōzhǒng.

All the fields are now ploughed up, ready for the seeds.

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Frequently asked questions about 播种

Yes, 播种 can metaphorically describe starting projects or ideas that will develop over time.

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