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昝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
昝zǎnsurname Zanunknown, 9 strokes, radical 日
昝zǎndual pronoun: "you and I", "we two"; surnamenr, 9 strokes, radical 日
zǎn(Zan3) T3
  1. 1surname Zan
  2. 2dual pronoun: "you and I", "we two"; surname
Also a Chinese surname, Zan — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

昝zǎn(Zan3)

The character 昝 (zǎn) primarily serves as a dual pronoun meaning 'you and I' or 'we two'. It can also be used as a surname, particularly the surname 'Zan'. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation and may appear more in literary or formal contexts.

Strokes9Radical日
Cultural Note

The use of dual pronouns like 昝 reflects the importance of relationships and shared experiences in Chinese culture. It emphasizes the bond between individuals, which is often highlighted in poetry and traditional literature.

Memory Tip

Imagine two people standing under a bright sun (the radical 日 suggests brightness) and saying, 'It's just you and me under the sun!' This visual helps link the character's meaning of duality with its pronunciation 'zǎn', as it sounds like 'sun'.

Meanings of 昝

zǎn(Zan3)
1dual pronoun: "you and I", "we two"; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 昝

昝Simplified
9Strokes
日Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 昝

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Podcast: 昝

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AI Study Notes for 昝

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 昝, as it is not commonly used in modern spoken Mandarin. It is more likely to appear in written or formal contexts. Misusing it in casual conversation may confuse listeners, so it's best reserved for literary or poetic expressions.

HSK Study Tips

Although 昝 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance comprehension of texts that use classical or formal language. Students should focus on contrasting it with more common pronouns when studying.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 昝 with more common pronouns like '我们' (wǒmen, 'we'). For example, saying '我和你是我们' (Wǒ hé nǐ shì wǒmen) instead of using 昝 could lead to misunderstandings. Always remember 昝 is a more formal and literary expression.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 昝

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Jason Explains 昝 to You

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How Well Do You Know 昝?

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Learning Lab

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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.

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Etymology of 昝

Decomposition of 昝

IDS Structure⿱处日
昝Full Character
=
处chu3
top
日Ri4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 昝?

How to say surname Zan in Chinese

“surname Zan” in Chinese is昝zǎn

The character 昝 (zǎn) primarily serves as a dual pronoun meaning 'you and I' or 'we two'. It can also be used as a surname, particularly the surname 'Zan'. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation and may appear more in literary or formal contexts.

When to use 昝

Be cautious when using 昝, as it is not commonly used in modern spoken Mandarin. It is more likely to appear in written or formal contexts. Misusing it in casual conversation may confuse listeners, so it's best reserved for literary or poetic expressions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 昝 with more common pronouns like '我们' (wǒmen, 'we'). For example, saying '我和你是我们' (Wǒ hé nǐ shì wǒmen) instead of using 昝 could lead to misunderstandings. Always remember 昝 is a more formal and literary expression.

Write 昝

昝

Practice writing 昝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 昝

Words Containing This Character1
昝zǎnsurname Zan

Frequently Asked Questions about 昝

No, 昝 is more commonly found in written forms and classical literature rather than in everyday speech.

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