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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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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Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 专 represents the sound. Simplified form of 磚.
1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
2The sound half专 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaystone
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 砖? 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 砖?
Decomposition of 砖
IDS Structure⿰石专
砖Full Character
=
石dan4
left
专zhuan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component 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
Complete the Sentence
鸟儿们紧贴在墙上，啄着____缝。
The birds cling to the wall and nibble at the brickwork.
