HSK 7, nt, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #4265, Very Hard
渣
zhā
dregs
HSK 7, nt, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #4265, Very Hard
渣
zhā
dregs, sediment; refuse, slag
HSK 7, nt, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #4265, Very Hard
zhā(zha1) T1
1slag (in mining or smelting)
2dregs
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March 24, 2026
渣zhā(zha1)
The character 渣 (zhā) refers to the waste material or residue left over from a process, particularly in mining or smelting. It can also mean dregs or sediment that settles at the bottom of a container. This term is commonly used in both industrial contexts and to describe something considered worthless or of low quality.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#4265DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese society, the term 渣 is often used in social contexts to describe people who are unreliable or deceitful, much like how dregs are the unwanted remnants. This reflects a cultural emphasis on integrity and quality in personal relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a miner digging through a mountain, and after hard work, all that’s left is the 'zhā' (渣) – the useless, dusty leftovers that no one wants. The left-over 'dregs' remind you of the sound 'zhā', which sounds like the clinking of rocks falling to the ground.
Meanings of 渣
zhā(zha1)
1slag (in mining or smelting)
2dregs
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 渣
渣Simplified
12Strokes
氵Radical
机构团体míngcíorganisation name (org.n.)Part of Speech
#4265Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 渣
Podcast: 渣
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AI Study Notes for 渣
Quick Contrast
渣 (zhā) vs 废物 (fèiwù) — use 渣 for specific residue from a process, while 废物 refers more generally to waste or useless items.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the context in which you use 渣, as it can be informal when referring to people or things considered undesirable. Common collocations include '渣男' (zhā nán) meaning 'scum man', and '渣滓' (zhā zǐ) meaning dregs or residue. Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 渣 connects to other vocabulary related to waste, quality assessment, and materials. Students should focus on its usage in both technical settings (like mining) and metaphorical contexts, enhancing their ability to describe less desirable qualities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 渣 (zhā) with 渣滓 (zhā zǐ), assuming they are interchangeable. Remember that 渣 is the general term for dregs, while 渣滓 specifically refers to the residue or sediment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 渣
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Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 查 represents the sound.
1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
2The sound half查 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 渣? 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 渣?
Decomposition of 渣
IDS Structure⿰氵查
渣Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
查cha2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 渣?
How to say slag (in mining or smelting) in Chinese
“slag (in mining or smelting)” in Chinese is渣zhā
The character 渣 (zhā) refers to the waste material or residue left over from a process, particularly in mining or smelting. It can also mean dregs or sediment that settles at the bottom of a container. This term is commonly used in both industrial contexts and to describe something considered worthless or of low quality.
When to use 渣
Be cautious of the context in which you use 渣, as it can be informal when referring to people or things considered undesirable. Common collocations include '渣男' (zhā nán) meaning 'scum man', and '渣滓' (zhā zǐ) meaning dregs or residue. Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.
渣 or something close to it
渣 (zhā) vs 废物 (fèiwù) — use 渣 for specific residue from a process, while 废物 refers more generally to waste or useless items.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 渣 (zhā) with 渣滓 (zhā zǐ), assuming they are interchangeable. Remember that 渣 is the general term for dregs, while 渣滓 specifically refers to the residue or sediment.
Write 渣
渣
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Practice writing 渣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 渣
渣 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 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.
