HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #955, Very Hard
砸
zá
to pound
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #955, Very Hard
砸
zá
to fail
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #955, Very Hard
砸
zá
to muck up
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #955, Very Hard
砸
zá
to bungle
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #955, Very Hard
砸
zá
to smash, to pound, to crush, to break
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #955, Very Hard
zá(za2) T2
1to smash
2to pound
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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#955DifficultyVery Hard
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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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.
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.
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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2The sound half匝 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayrock
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 砸? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 砸?
Decomposition of 砸
IDS Structure⿰石匝
砸Full Character
=
石dan4
left
匝za1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 砸?
How to say to smash in Chinese
“to smash” in Chinese is砸zá
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.
When to use 砸
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).
砸 or something close to it
打 (dǎ, to hit) — use 砸 (zá) when emphasizing the act of smashing or breaking something apart, rather than just hitting.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 砸
砸
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Practice writing 砸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
