unknown, 8 strokes, radical 田, rank #46209, Very Hard
zāi(zai1) T1
1evil; a calamity
2steroid nucleus
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March 24, 2026
甾zāi(zai1)
The character 甾 (zāi) primarily refers to something evil or calamitous. It can also denote a steroid nucleus in scientific contexts, highlighting its usage in both everyday and specialized language. This dual meaning can cause confusion, so it's important to understand the context in which it is used.
Strokes8Radical田Frequency#46209DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, calamities and evils are often seen as imbalances in health, making this character relevant in discussions about holistic well-being and the impact of negative forces on life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dark storm cloud (representing evil or calamity) looming over a laboratory filled with steroid structures. The shape of the character 甾 resembles a cloud with a base, which helps to remember its meaning related to bad events and scientific terms.
Meanings of 甾
zāi(zai1)
1evil; a calamity
2steroid nucleus
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 甾
甾Simplified
8Strokes
田Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 甾
Podcast: 甾
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AI Study Notes for 甾
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dark storm cloud (representing evil or calamity) looming over a laboratory filled with steroid structures. The shape of the character 甾 resembles a cloud with a base, which helps to remember its meaning related to bad events and scientific terms.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 甾 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may appear more in scientific discussions. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 甾 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on understanding its dual meanings and how it relates to other vocabulary related to health and science. Familiarity with terms in these fields can be beneficial.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, calamities and evils are often seen as imbalances in health, making this character relevant in discussions about holistic well-being and the impact of negative forces on life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 甾 with the character 灾 (zāi), which also means calamity but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我有一个甾' (wǒ yǒu yī gè zāi) instead of '我有一个灾' (wǒ yǒu yī gè zāi) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 甾
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Cultural Notes for 甾
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, calamities and evils are often seen as imbalances in health, making this character relevant in discussions about holistic well-being and the impact of negative forces on life.
Word Family of 甾
Words Containing This Character1
甾zāisteroid nucleus
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 甾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 甾
You can use 甾 in scientific discussions about steroids or in more literary contexts discussing calamities.
The correct pronunciation is 'zāi' with a high-level first tone.
No, it is more commonly found in written or specialized contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
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