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株 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
株zhūtree trunkHSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13799, Hard
株zhūstump (tree root)HSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13799, Hard
株zhūa plantHSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13799, Hard
株zhūclassifier for trees or plantsHSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13799, Hard
株zhūto involve others (in shady business)HSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13799, Hard
株zhūroot, stump; measure word for treesHSK 6, q, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13799, Hard
zhū(zhu1) T1
  1. 1tree trunk
  2. 2stump (tree root)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
株zhū(zhu1)

The character 株 (zhū) primarily refers to a tree trunk or stump, representing the solid, central part of a tree. It can also be used as a classifier for trees and plants, highlighting its role in contexts related to botany. Additionally, it carries a nuanced meaning of involving others in dubious activities, which reflects a more figurative use of the character.

Strokes10Radical木Frequency#13799DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, trees are often symbols of longevity and stability, making 株 significant in discussions about heritage and nature. The character also reflects the importance of agriculture and forestry in traditional Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big, sturdy tree trunk (株) standing tall. Visualize a 'zoo' (sounds like 'zhū') where animals gather around the trunk, emphasizing its central role in the forest. This imagery connects the sound and meaning, making it easier to remember.

Meanings of 株

zhū(zhu1)
1tree trunk
2stump (tree root)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 株

株Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#13799Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 株

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Podcast: 株

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 株

Quick Contrast

树 (shù) vs 树干 (shùgān) — use 株 when referring specifically to the trunk or stump, while 树 refers to the whole tree and 树干 specifically denotes the tree trunk.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a big, sturdy tree trunk (株) standing tall. Visualize a 'zoo' (sounds like 'zhū') where animals gather around the trunk, emphasizing its central role in the forest. This imagery connects the sound and meaning, making it easier to remember.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 株 with similar classifiers, such as 棵 (kē) for small plants. It's essential to remember that 株 is specifically for larger trees or plant groups. Use this character in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious when using it in idiomatic expressions that hint at unethical involvement.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 株 connects to themes of nature and ecology, which are prevalent in this level's vocabulary. Students should focus on the dual meanings of the word and practice using it in sentences related to botany and ethical discussions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, trees are often symbols of longevity and stability, making 株 significant in discussions about heritage and nature. The character also reflects the importance of agriculture and forestry in traditional Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

A frequent mistake is using 株 with small plants instead of larger trees; for example, saying '三株花' (sān zhū huā) instead of '三棵花' (sān kē huā) for three flowers. Remember to use 株 for larger entities.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 株

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Etymology of 株

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 朱 represents the sound. Originally written as 朱.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)朱
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 株?

Decomposition of 株

IDS Structure⿰木朱
株Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
朱Zhu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 株?

Write 株

株

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 株

株 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. 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

Complete the Sentence

你得自己把那____植物挖出来。

You would have to dig up the plant yourself.

Example Sentences for 株 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你得自己把那株植物挖出来。

nǐ dé zì jǐ bǎ nà zhū zhí wù wā chū lái。

You would have to dig up the plant yourself.
2
如果土壤过干，植株可能会过早结实。

rú guǒ tǔ rǎng guò gān， ， zhí zhū kě néng huì guò zǎo jié。

If the soil dries out the plants may bolt.
3
这有助于新生发植株的成熟，令其开出繁茂的花朵。

zhè yǒu zhù yú xīn shēng fā zhí zhū de chéng shú， ， líng qí kāi chū fán mào de huā。

This helps to ripen new growth and makes it flower profusely.
4
这株植物开了一朵美丽鲜红的花。

zhè zhū zhí wù kāi le yī duǒ měi lì xiān hóng de huā。

The plant has a beautiful bright red flower.
5
房子前面有一株老松树.

fáng zǐ qián miàn yǒu yī zhū lǎo sōng shù.

There is an old pine tree in front of the house.
6
对选择出来的每一棵优株都嫁接繁殖3-4个分株.

duì xuǎn zé chū lái de měi yī kē yōu zhū dū jià jiē fán zhí3-4 3-4 gè fēn.

Three or four ramets of each selected tree are grafted.
7
他们拔除了坟墓上的茂草和荨麻,砍断矮树和根株.

tā mén bá chú le fén mù shàng de mào cǎo hé qián má, , kǎn duàn ǎi shù hé gēn.

They plucked the long grass and nettles from the tombs, thinned the poor shrubs and roots.
8
粉墙.桃.众生沧海浮沉苦,不如墙边桃一株.

fěn qiáng. .. táo . zhòng shēng cāng hǎi fú, chén kǔ , bù rú qiáng biān.

Pink peach blossom against a grey wall, its all so lovely.
9
根部很容易干枯，特别是当植株被种养在盆中时。

gēn bù hěn róng yì gān kū， ， tè bié shì dāng zhí zhū bèi zhǒng yǎng zài pén zhōng。

Dryness at the roots can occur very easily specially when plants are grown in containers.
10
少数植株成小丛生长.

shǎo shù zhí zhū chéng xiǎo cóng shēng cháng.

A few plant individuals grow in small caespitose.

Cultural Notes for 株

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, trees are often symbols of longevity and stability, making 株 significant in discussions about heritage and nature. The character also reflects the importance of agriculture and forestry in traditional Chinese society.

Word Family of 株

Words Containing This Character10
株zhūtree trunk
守株待兔shǒuzhūdàitùto wait idly for opportunities
植株plant (horticulture)
株式会社corporation株式會社
株洲Zhuzhou prefecture level city, on the Xiangjiang river in Hunan
株连guilt by association株連
株洲市Zhuzhou prefecture level city, on the Xiangjiang river in Hunan
株距spacing
病株diseased or infected plant
株洲县Zhuzhou county in Zhuzhou 株洲, Hunan株洲縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 株 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 株

株 is used for larger trees and plants, while 棵 is typically used for smaller plants or individual units.