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凿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
凿záochisel; to bore, to pierceHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 凵, rank #16307, Hard
凿záoto bore a holeHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 凵, rank #16307, Hard
凿záoto chisel or digHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 凵, rank #16307, Hard
凿záocertainHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 凵, rank #16307, Hard
凿záoauthenticHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 凵, rank #16307, Hard
凿záoirrefutableHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 凵, rank #16307, Hard
凿záoalso pr. [zuo4]HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 凵, rank #16307, Hard
záo(zao2) T2
  1. 1chisel; to bore, to pierce
  2. 2to bore a hole
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
凿(鑿)záo(zao2)

The character 凿 (záo) primarily means 'to chisel' or 'to bore a hole.' It is commonly used in contexts involving construction, woodworking, or art where precision in shaping materials is necessary. The word can also imply authenticity or irrefutability when used metaphorically, suggesting something that is certain or cannot be disputed.

Strokes12Radical凵Frequency#16307DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese woodworking, the use of a chisel is a critical skill, often passed down through generations. This character connects to the craftsmanship that is highly valued in Chinese culture, especially in creating intricate designs in furniture and architecture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a craftsman using a chisel (凿) to carve out a perfect sculpture. The radical 凹 resembles a tool that digs into materials, while the shape of the character itself suggests a tool being used to make precise cuts. 'Záo' sounds like 'saw,' which is also a tool used in crafting.

Meanings of 凿

záo(zao2)
1chisel; to bore, to pierce
2to bore a hole
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 凿

凿Simplified
鑿Traditional
12Strokes
凵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 凿

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Podcast: 凿

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AI Study Notes for 凿

Quick Contrast

凿 (záo) vs 切 (qiē) — use 凿 when referring specifically to chiseling or boring, while 切 implies cutting with a knife or blade.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a craftsman using a chisel (凿) to carve out a perfect sculpture. The radical 凹 resembles a tool that digs into materials, while the shape of the character itself suggests a tool being used to make precise cuts. 'Záo' sounds like 'saw,' which is also a tool used in crafting.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 凿 with similar-looking characters like 鑿 (to chisel) or 造 (to create). This word is more technical and is typically used in formal contexts. Be mindful of the pronunciation; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 凿 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to HSK words related to construction and tools. Focus on the practical applications of the word in context, particularly in discussions about building or crafting.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese woodworking, the use of a chisel is a critical skill, often passed down through generations. This character connects to the craftsmanship that is highly valued in Chinese culture, especially in creating intricate designs in furniture and architecture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 凿 as 'zuò' instead of 'záo,' leading to misunderstandings. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar characters and use it incorrectly in sentences, such as saying '我凿了一个计划' (I chiseled a plan) instead of something more contextually appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 凿

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Etymology of 凿

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A drill 丵 making a hole 凵

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 凿?

Decomposition of 凿

IDS Structure⿶凵丵
凿Full Character
=
凵qian3
enclosing
丵zhuo2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 凿?

Write 凿

凿

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

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Grammar Patterns of 凿

凿 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 7 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

有人把一大块石头给____空了。

Someone had hollowed out a large block of stone.

Example Sentences for 凿 (10)

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1
有人把一大块石头给凿空了。

yǒu rén bǎ yī dà kuài shí tóu gěi záo kōng le。

Someone had hollowed out a large block of stone.
2
心理提示和确凿证据之间相差甚远。

xīn lǐ tí shì hé què záo zhèng jù zhī jiān xiāng chà shèn yuǎn。

There was a vast distance between psychological clues and concrete proof.
3
泰勒显然不是做这份工作的合适人选——简直就是方枘圆凿。

tài lè xiǎn rán bù shì zuò zhè fèn gōng zuò de hé shì rén xuǎn—— —— jiǎn zhí jiù shì fāng ruì yuán。

Taylor is clearly the wrong man for the job—a square peg in a round hole.
4
泰勒明显不适合做这项工作——简直就是方枘圆凿。

tài lè míng xiǎn bù shì hé zuò zhè xiàng gōng zuò—— —— jiǎn zhí jiù shì fāng ruì yuán。

Taylor is clearly the wrong man for the job — a square peg in a round hole.
5
他把一根树干凿成独木舟.

tā bǎ yī gēn shù gān záo chéng dú mù zhōu.

He hewed a canoe out of a tree trunk.
6
他把这块木头凿刻成人头的形状.

tā bǎ zhè kuài mù tóu záo kè chéng rén tóu de xíng zhuàng.

He chiseled the piece of wood into the shape of a head.
7
他凿刻大理石为雕像.

tā záo kè dà lǐ shí wéi diāo xiàng.

He chiseled a statue from the marble.
8
他用榔头和凿子铲墙。

tā yòng láng tóu hé záo zǐ chǎn qiáng。

He used a hammer and chisel to chip away at the wall.
9
这凿子在要伸入到犄角儿里时十分有用.

zhè záo zǐ zài yào shēn rù dào jī jiǎo ér lǐ shí shí fēn yǒu yòng.

This chisel is useful for getting into awkward spaces.
10
他们在凿井的过程中,发现了一处稀有矿物矿床.

tā mén zài záo jǐng de guò chéng zhōng, , fā xiàn le yī chǔ xī yǒu kuàng wù kuàng.

In course of sinking the well - shaft they came upon a deposit of a very rare mineral.

Cultural Notes for 凿

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese woodworking, the use of a chisel is a critical skill, often passed down through generations. This character connects to the craftsmanship that is highly valued in Chinese culture, especially in creating intricate designs in furniture and architecture.

Word Family of 凿

Words Containing This Character13
确凿quèzáodefinite確鑿
凿záochisel鑿
开凿to cut (a canal, tunnel, well etc)開鑿
凿子chisel鑿子
凿井to dig a well鑿井
凿岩(rock) drilling鑿岩
凿岩机rock drill鑿岩機
穿凿to bore a hole穿鑿
穿凿附会to make far-fetched claims (idiom)穿鑿附會
凿壁偷光lit. to pierce the wall to steal a light (idiom)鑿壁偷光
方枘圆凿incompatible (idiom)方枘圓鑿
确凿不移established and irrefutable (idiom)確鑿不移
圆凿方枘incompatible (idiom)圓鑿方枘
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 确凿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 凿

凿 refers to the action of chiseling or boring, while 鑿 can refer specifically to a chisel tool or the act of chiseling.