Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
胙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
胙zuòmeat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestorsg, 9 strokes, radical ⺼
胙zuòto grant or bestowunknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼
胙zuòsacrificial flesh offered to the gods (old)unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼
胙zuòblessingunknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼
胙zuòtitle of a sovereign (old)unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼
zuò(zuo4) T4
  1. 1meat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestors
  2. 2to grant or bestow
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

胙zuò(zuo4)

The character 胙 (zuò) primarily refers to meat that is offered as a sacrifice to ancestors or deities, symbolizing respect and honor. It can also mean to grant or bestow something, particularly in a formal context. This term often appears in historical or religious texts, emphasizing its traditional significance in Chinese culture.

Strokes9Radical⺼
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, offerings such as 胙 were integral to ancestor worship, reflecting the deep respect for familial ties and the belief in the spiritual presence of ancestors during rituals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large piece of meat (represented by the radical 胙) being ceremoniously placed on an altar. Visualize a grand ceremony where the meat is offered to ancestors, and remember that 'zuò' sounds like 'zoo,' where animals might be sacrificed—though here it represents a respectful act toward loved ones.

Meanings of 胙

zuò(zuo4)
1meat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestors
2to grant or bestow
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 胙 means.

About 胙

胙Simplified
9Strokes
⺼Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 胙

JasonAmy

Podcast: 胙

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 胙

Usage Notes

When using 胙, it is typically found in more formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common mistakes include conflating it with contemporary terms for food or offerings, so it's important to remember its historical context. Ensure to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing 'zuò' could change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 胙 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of respect and heritage found in HSK Level 5 and 6 words. Students should focus on understanding its implications in cultural practices, which can enhance their comprehension of more advanced texts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 胙 with more common terms for food or offerings, which can dilute its specific meaning. For example, saying 胙 when referring to a modern meal is incorrect; instead, use 食物 (shíwù) for food.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 胙

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 胙 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 胙 to You

Let me explain 胙 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 胙 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 胙?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 胙 is seven skills, not one.

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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 胙

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

meat

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

Origin

胙 = ⺼ + 乍. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 胙

IDS Structure⿰⺼乍
胙Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
乍zha4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 胙?

How to say meat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestors in Chinese

“meat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestors” in Chinese is胙zuò

The character 胙 (zuò) primarily refers to meat that is offered as a sacrifice to ancestors or deities, symbolizing respect and honor. It can also mean to grant or bestow something, particularly in a formal context. This term often appears in historical or religious texts, emphasizing its traditional significance in Chinese culture.

When to use 胙

When using 胙, it is typically found in more formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common mistakes include conflating it with contemporary terms for food or offerings, so it's important to remember its historical context. Ensure to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing 'zuò' could change its meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 胙 with more common terms for food or offerings, which can dilute its specific meaning. For example, saying 胙 when referring to a modern meal is incorrect; instead, use 食物 (shíwù) for food.

Write 胙

胙

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 胙?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 胙

Words Containing This Character1
胙zuòblessing

Frequently Asked Questions about 胙

Use 胙 in contexts related to ancestor worship or discussions about historical sacrificial practices.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 胙?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab