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March 24, 2026
砖(塼)zhuān(zhuan1)
The character 砖 (zhuān) refers to a brick, which is a common building material made from clay or other substances. It is used in construction for walls, pavements, and various structures. In everyday contexts, it can also represent sturdiness or reliability.
Strokes9Radical石Frequency#7678DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese architecture, bricks were often used in the construction of courtyards and temples, symbolizing stability and permanence. The craftsmanship involved in brick-making is also a reflection of historical building techniques in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sturdy brick (砖) holding up a house. The character looks like a block (the top part) supporting a foundation (the bottom part). The pronunciation 'zhuān' can remind you of the action of 'drawing' a line to outline the brick's shape.
Meanings of 砖
zhuān(zhuan1)
1brick
2tile, brick
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 砖 means.
About 砖
砖Simplified
塼Traditional
9Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7678Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 砖
Podcast: 砖
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AI Study Notes for 砖
Quick Contrast
砖 (brick) vs 瓦 (tile) — use 砖 when referring to a solid building block, while 瓦 is used for flat roofing materials.
Usage Notes
When using 砖 in conversation, ensure you pair it with the correct measure word, 块 (kuài), as in 一块砖 (yī kuài zhuān) for 'a brick'. Be careful with the pronunciation; it has a flat tone that may confuse it with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 砖 connects with other construction-related vocabulary and phrases. Students should focus on using it in context, such as in discussions about architecture or building materials, to enhance their comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 砖 (zhuān) with other similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我有砖' (wǒ yǒu zhuān) may be understood, but it's more common to specify the context, like '我有一块砖' (wǒ yǒu yī kuài zhuān).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 砖
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How Well Do You Know 砖?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 砖 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
砖 = 石 + 专. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 砖
IDS Structure⿰石专
砖Full Character
=
石dan4
left
专zhuan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 砖?
How to say brick in Chinese
“brick” in Chinese is砖zhuān
The character 砖 (zhuān) refers to a brick, which is a common building material made from clay or other substances. It is used in construction for walls, pavements, and various structures. In everyday contexts, it can also represent sturdiness or reliability.
When to use 砖
When using 砖 in conversation, ensure you pair it with the correct measure word, 块 (kuài), as in 一块砖 (yī kuài zhuān) for 'a brick'. Be careful with the pronunciation; it has a flat tone that may confuse it with other similar-sounding words.
砖 or something close to it
砖 (brick) vs 瓦 (tile) — use 砖 when referring to a solid building block, while 瓦 is used for flat roofing materials.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 砖 (zhuān) with other similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我有砖' (wǒ yǒu zhuān) may be understood, but it's more common to specify the context, like '我有一块砖' (wǒ yǒu yī kuài zhuān).
Write 砖
砖
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Practice writing 砖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 砖
砖 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.
鸟儿们紧贴在墙上，啄着____缝。
The birds cling to the wall and nibble at the brickwork.
