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March 24, 2026
仔zǎi(zai3)
The character 仔 (zǎi) primarily refers to young animals or offspring, particularly in the context of domestic animals. It can also describe something small or meticulous, often used to convey care or attention to detail. In everyday usage, it can imply a diminutive form, often expressing affection or delicacy.
Strokes5Radical亻Frequency#3238DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the term 仔 (zǎi) is often used affectionately for pets or young children, reflecting the value placed on nurturing and caring for the young. The concept of caring for young animals is intertwined with traditional agricultural practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small, cute puppy (仔, zǎi) sitting under a table, being careful not to bump its head (the character has a 'careful' component). The '亻' radical on the left suggests it relates to living beings, while the '子' on the right indicates youth, combining to create the image of a meticulous little creature.
Meanings of 仔
zǎi(zai3)
primary
1meticulous
2(of domestic animals or fowls) young
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 仔
仔Simplified
5Strokes
亻Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3238Frequency Rank
Podcast: 仔
Podcast: 仔
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AI Study Notes for 仔
Quick Contrast
仔 (zǎi) vs 幼 (yòu) — use 仔 for young domestic animals, while 幼 refers more generally to young or immature beings.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small, cute puppy (仔, zǎi) sitting under a table, being careful not to bump its head (the character has a 'careful' component). The '亻' radical on the left suggests it relates to living beings, while the '子' on the right indicates youth, combining to create the image of a meticulous little creature.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 'zǎi' (仔) should not be confused with 'zāi' (灾), which means disaster. It is commonly used in informal contexts, often in discussions about pets or children. Collocations include terms for young animals like 小仔 (xiǎo zǎi, 'little one').
HSK Study Tips
While 仔 (zǎi) is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it complements concepts at HSK Level 2, such as 小 (xiǎo, 'small') and 养 (yǎng, 'to raise'). Focus on practicing pronunciation and understanding its diminutive connotation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the term 仔 (zǎi) is often used affectionately for pets or young children, reflecting the value placed on nurturing and caring for the young. The concept of caring for young animals is intertwined with traditional agricultural practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 仔 (zǎi) with related terms like 崽 (zǎi) or 子 (zǐ). For example, saying '我有一个仔' (Wǒ yǒu yī gè zǐ - 'I have a son') is incorrect; it should be '我有一个孩子' (Wǒ yǒu yī gè háizi - 'I have a child').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 仔
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Grammar Patterns of 仔
仔 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
A close look at the statistics reveals a troubling picture.
Cultural Notes for 仔
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, young animals are often seen as symbols of new beginnings and vitality. The character 仔, representing young animals, reflects this cultural appreciation for youth and the importance of nurturing the next generation.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the term 仔 (zǎi) is often used affectionately for pets or young children, reflecting the value placed on nurturing and caring for the young. The concept of caring for young animals is intertwined with traditional agricultural practices.
Word Family of 仔
Words Containing This Character13
仔细zǐxìcareful仔細
仔zǎimeticulous
牛仔cowboy
牛仔裤niúzǎikùjeans牛仔褲
仔猪piglet仔豬
靓仔handsome young man靚仔
狗仔队paparazzi狗仔隊
打工仔young worker
产仔to bear a litter產仔
湾仔Wan Chai district of Hong Kong灣仔
牛仔布denim
歌仔戏type of opera from Taiwan and Fujian歌仔戲
仔畜newborn animal
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 仔细 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 仔
仔 (zǎi) and 崽 (zǎi) are variants that refer to young animals. While they can often be used interchangeably, 仔 may carry additional meanings such as 'meticulous'. In certain contexts, one might be preferred over the other based on regional usage or specific phrases.
Common phrases include 仔肩 (zǐ jiān), which refers to a specific type of shoulder in anatomy or clothing. Additionally, you might hear it in colloquial expressions that emphasize youth or care in handling domestic animals.
仔 (zǎi, zī) can refer to a young animal or fowl, often used in contexts related to domestic animals. It can also mean 'meticulous' in certain contexts. This character is a variant of 崽, which also means 'young' or 'offspring'.
You can use 仔 to describe young animals, for example, '这只仔猪很可爱' (zhè zhī zǎi zhū hěn kě'ài), meaning 'This piglet is very cute.' In more formal contexts, it can also be used to describe someone meticulous or careful.
Both characters can refer to young animals, but 仔 (zǎi) is often used in a more affectionate context, while 崽 (zǎi) is more general.
Yes, 仔 can describe something small or meticulous, but it's primarily associated with young animals.
It is mostly used in informal contexts, especially when discussing pets or children.
