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造 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
造zàoto makeHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoto buildHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoto inventHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoto manufactureHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoto build, to construct, to invent, to manufactureHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoto fabricateHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoto go toHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoparty (in a lawsuit or legal agreement)HSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàocropHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
造zàoclassifier for cropsHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1928, Medium
zào(zao4) T4
  1. 1to make
  2. 2to build
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
造zào(zao4)

The character 造 (zào) means 'to make' or 'to build' and is commonly used in contexts related to manufacturing, construction, and invention. It can also refer to the act of creating or fabricating something. It is often found in compound words, such as 造房 (zào fáng) meaning 'to build a house' or 造纸 (zào zhǐ) meaning 'to make paper.'

Strokes10Radical辶Frequency#1928DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 造 is closely tied to the importance of craftsmanship and innovation. For instance, traditional Chinese architecture is a celebrated art form that requires profound skills in building and design, reflecting the value placed on creating lasting structures.

Memory Tip

Imagine a skilled craftsman using tools to 'create' a new invention. The character 造 has a radical that resembles a tool (the left part) and the right part suggests action, symbolizing the process of making or building. Picture this craftsman saying 'zào' as he proudly shows off his creation.

Meanings of 造

zào(zao4)
1to make
2to build
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 造

造Simplified
10Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1928Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 造

JasonAmy

Podcast: 造

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 造

Quick Contrast

造 (zào) vs 制 (zhì) — use 造 for making or building in a more general sense, while 制 is more specific to manufacturing or producing with a focus on control or regulation.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a skilled craftsman using tools to 'create' a new invention. The character 造 has a radical that resembles a tool (the left part) and the right part suggests action, symbolizing the process of making or building. Picture this craftsman saying 'zào' as he proudly shows off his creation.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 造 with similar verbs like 制 (zhì), which means 'to produce' or 'to manufacture.' It's important to use 造 in contexts that involve building or creating something tangible. The word is generally neutral, but be cautious of its usage in formal legal contexts, where it may refer to parties involved in an agreement.

HSK Study Tips

Although 造 is not part of HSK levels, it connects with other verbs related to creation and action, such as 做 (zuò) meaning 'to do,' and 制造 (zhì zào) meaning 'to manufacture.' Focus on using 造 in practical scenarios to enhance your vocabulary related to construction and creativity.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 造 is closely tied to the importance of craftsmanship and innovation. For instance, traditional Chinese architecture is a celebrated art form that requires profound skills in building and design, reflecting the value placed on creating lasting structures.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 造 with 建 (jiàn), which also means 'to build.' For example, saying '我造了一栋房子' (wǒ zào le yī dòng fángzi) is incorrect; instead, use '我建了一栋房子' (wǒ jiàn le yī dòng fángzi) for 'I built a house.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 造

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Etymology of 造

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 告 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)辶
+
Phonetic (sound)告
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 造?

Decomposition of 造

IDS Structure⿺辶告
造Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
告gao4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 造?

Write 造

造

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 造

造 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 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons5
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

Used to emphasize the action of making or creating something.

这是我自己造的。

Zhè shì wǒ zìjǐ zào de.

This is made by me.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这次地震____成了异常严重的破坏。

This earthquake caused unusually severe damage.

Common Confusions with 造

造 specifically refers to making or building, while 做 is more general for doing or performing tasks.

1

他做了一个好饭。 (He made a good meal.)

造 specifically refers to making or building, while 做 is more general for doing or performing tasks.

💡记住：造是建筑，而做是行动。

Usage Notes for 造

Distinction between 造 and 做Grammar Tip

Use 造 when referring to construction, manufacturing, or creating something tangible.

1

他造了一座房子。

He built a house.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他____了一座房子。

He built a house.

Example Sentences for 造 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
一家工厂产生的需求使得必须再建造一家工厂。

yī jiā gōng chǎng chǎn shēng de xū qiú shǐ dé bì xū zài jiàn zào yī jiā gōng chǎng。

The demand generated by one factory required the construction of another.
2
建造工人必须把新建房屋的屋顶固定得更牢靠些。

jiàn zào gōng rén bì xū bǎ xīn jiàn fáng wū de wū dǐng gù dìng dé gēng láo kào xiē。

Builders must fasten down roofs of newly-built homes more securely.
3
如果受到损伤，神经细胞再造的能力有限。

rú guǒ shòu dào sǔn shāng， ， shén jīng xì bāo zài zào de néng lì yǒu。

Nerve cells have limited ability to regenerate if destroyed.
4
奥尔特曼制造的一些紧张氛围开始缓解。

ào ěr tè màn zhì zào de yī xiē jǐn zhāng fēn wéi kāi shǐ huǎn jiě。

Some of the tension Altman builds up starts to sag.
5
这种局面所造成的不确定性肯定让你感到困惑。

zhè zhǒng jú miàn suǒ zào chéng de bù què dìng xìng kěn dìng ràng nǐ gǎn dào kùn huò。

The uncertainty created by this situation must be confusing for you.
6
你要是打算改造阁楼，这些地址会派上用场。

nǐ yào shì dǎ suàn gǎi zào gé lóu， ， zhè xiē dì zhǐ huì pài shàng yòng。

If you're converting your loft, these addresses will be useful.
7
还有几次事故主要是起飞时引擎出现故障造成的。

huán yǒu jī cì shì gù zhǔ yào shì qǐ fēi shí yǐn qíng chū xiàn gù zhàng zào chéng de。

There were also several accidents mainly caused by engine failures on take-off.
8
拼写错误经常是由于匆忙而造成的。

pīn xiě cuò wù jīng cháng shì yóu yú cōng máng ér zào chéng de。

Spelling mistakes are often just the result of haste.
9
关于我们的报道大都是彻头彻尾的胡编乱造。

guān yú wǒ mén de bào dào dà dū shì chè tóu chè wěi de hú biān luàn zào。

Much of what has been written about us is out-and-out lies.
10
的确，她的死是我间接造成的。我不该把她留在那里。

de què， ， tā de sǐ shì wǒ jiān jiē zào chéng。 de 。 wǒ bù gāi bǎ tā liú zài。

Indirectly, I did cause her death. I shouldn'thave left her there.

Cultural Notes for 造

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 造 is closely tied to the importance of craftsmanship and innovation. For instance, traditional Chinese architecture is a celebrated art form that requires profound skills in building and design, reflecting the value placed on creating lasting structures.

Word Family of 造

Compounds1
糙cao1rough
Words Containing This Character20
造成zàochéngto create
创造chuàngzàoto create創造
制造zhìzàoto make製造
造zàoto make
改造gǎizàoto transform
造型zàoxíngto model
建造jiànzàoto construct
打造dǎzàoto create
伪造wěizàoto forge偽造
营造yíngzàoto make營造
塑造sùzàoto model
创造性creativeness創造性
制造业manufacturing industry制造業
编造biānzàoto compile編造
造就zàojiùto bring up
制造商manufacturing company製造商
人造rénzàoman-made
构造gòuzàostructure構造
创造力ingenuity創造力
捏造to make up
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 糙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 造

Common phrases that include 造 (zào) are '制造' (zhìzào), meaning 'to manufacture', and '造梦' (zàomèng), meaning 'to create dreams'. These phrases highlight its usage in contexts of creation and production.