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March 24, 2026
砸zá(za2)
The character 砸 (zá) primarily means 'to smash' or 'to pound,' often referring to physically breaking something apart. It can also imply failing or messing something up in a non-literal sense, such as making a mistake in a task or project. This versatility allows it to be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes10Radical石Frequency#955DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of smashing something can symbolize failure or bad luck, often reflected in superstitions surrounding breaking dishes or mirrors. It's common to hear people say '砸了' in a light-hearted manner when they make a mistake.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chef (the radical '石' representing stone) who accidentally smashes a pot (砸) while trying to pound some ingredients. The sound of the pot breaking—'zá'—echoes in the kitchen, reminding you of the action of smashing.
Meanings of 砸
zá(za2)
1to smash
2to pound
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 砸
砸Simplified
10Strokes
石Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#955Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 砸
Podcast: 砸
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AI Study Notes for 砸
Quick Contrast
打 (dǎ, to hit) — use 砸 (zá) when emphasizing the act of smashing or breaking something apart, rather than just hitting.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chef (the radical '石' representing stone) who accidentally smashes a pot (砸) while trying to pound some ingredients. The sound of the pot breaking—'zá'—echoes in the kitchen, reminding you of the action of smashing.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 砸 with similar verbs like 打 (dǎ, to hit) or 敲 (qiāo, to knock), which have different nuances. This word is generally informal, so it's best used in casual conversations rather than formal writing. Collocations include '砸东西' (to smash something) and '砸了' (to have messed up).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 砸 connects well with other verbs describing actions involving force or impact, such as 打 (dǎ) and 拍 (pāi). Students should focus on its various meanings and practice using it in different contexts to grasp its flexibility.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of smashing something can symbolize failure or bad luck, often reflected in superstitions surrounding breaking dishes or mirrors. It's common to hear people say '砸了' in a light-hearted manner when they make a mistake.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 砸 with the more general 打 (dǎ) when referring to hitting things, which can lead to incorrect phrasing. For instance, saying '我砸他' (I smash him) instead of '我打他' (I hit him) can convey unintended meanings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 砸
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Grammar Patterns of 砸
砸 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 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.
tā shǐ chū quán shēn lì qì lūn qǐ láng tóu zá xiàng tā de nǎo dài。
She swung the hammer at his head with all her might.
10
可以用锤子把抽屉砸开。
kě yǐ yòng chuí zǐ bǎ chōu tì zá kāi。
You could smash the drawer up with a hammer.
Cultural Notes for 砸
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of smashing something can symbolize failure or bad luck, often reflected in superstitions surrounding breaking dishes or mirrors. It's common to hear people say '砸了' in a light-hearted manner when they make a mistake.
Word Family of 砸
Words Containing This Character11
砸záto smash
砸碎to pulverize
砸烂to smash砸爛
砸死to crush to death
搞砸to foul up
砸破to break
砸毁to destroy砸毀
砸锅卖铁to be willing to sacrifice everything one has (idiom)砸鍋賣鐵
搬起石头砸自己的脚hoisted by one's own petard搬起石頭砸自己的腳
砸锅to fail砸鍋
搬砖砸脚to boomerang搬磚砸腳
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 砸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 砸
No, 砸 is typically informal and best suited for everyday conversations.
A common phrase is '砸锅' (to break the pot), used metaphorically to describe a big mistake.
No, it can also refer to metaphorical failures in tasks or projects.
