unknown, 19 strokes, radical 艹, rank #58055, Very Hard
藻
zǎo
elegant
unknown, 19 strokes, radical 艹, rank #58055, Very Hard
zǎo(zao3) T3
1splendid, magnificent; algae
2aquatic grasses
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March 24, 2026
藻zǎo(zao3)
The character 藻 (zǎo) primarily refers to algae or aquatic plants, often associated with their lush and vibrant qualities. It can also convey a sense of elegance or splendor, particularly in poetic contexts where nature is described. In modern usage, it is commonly found in discussions about marine biology or ecology.
Strokes19Radical艹Frequency#58055DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, nature is often celebrated through poetry and art, where 藻 may symbolize beauty and elegance in a harmonious ecosystem. Algae and aquatic plants also play a role in Chinese herbal medicine and cuisine.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful underwater scene filled with vibrant green algae swaying elegantly in the water. The character 藻 looks like a swirl of water plants, with the radical 艹 (grass) hinting at its aquatic nature. Remember 'zǎo' by thinking of 'z' for 'zestful' algae and 'ǎo' as 'awe' for their splendor.
Meanings of 藻
zǎo(zao3)
1splendid, magnificent; algae
2aquatic grasses
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 藻
藻Simplified
19Strokes
艹Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 藻
Podcast: 藻
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AI Study Notes for 藻
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing zǎo, as mispronouncing it could change its meaning. In informal contexts, 藻 is often used in discussions about nature, while in formal settings, it can appear in literary or scientific language. Common collocations include 藻类 (zǎo lèi, meaning 'algal species').
HSK Study Tips
Although 藻 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to level 4 themes of nature and ecology. Students should focus on understanding its usage in environmental contexts and recognizing its components, especially the grass radical (艹), which indicates its relation to plant life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 藻 with similar-sounding characters like 早 (zǎo, meaning 'early') due to the tonal nature of Mandarin. Remember that 藻 with its grass radical is related to aquatic plants, while 早 relates to time.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 藻
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Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 澡 represents the sound.
1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
2The sound half澡 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaygrass
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 藻? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 藻?
Decomposition of 藻
IDS Structure⿱艹澡
藻Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
澡zao3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 藻?
How to say splendid, magnificent; algae in Chinese
“splendid, magnificent; algae” in Chinese is藻zǎo
The character 藻 (zǎo) primarily refers to algae or aquatic plants, often associated with their lush and vibrant qualities. It can also convey a sense of elegance or splendor, particularly in poetic contexts where nature is described. In modern usage, it is commonly found in discussions about marine biology or ecology.
When to use 藻
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing zǎo, as mispronouncing it could change its meaning. In informal contexts, 藻 is often used in discussions about nature, while in formal settings, it can appear in literary or scientific language. Common collocations include 藻类 (zǎo lèi, meaning 'algal species').
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 藻 with similar-sounding characters like 早 (zǎo, meaning 'early') due to the tonal nature of Mandarin. Remember that 藻 with its grass radical is related to aquatic plants, while 早 relates to time.
Write 藻
藻
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Practice writing 藻 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 藻
藻 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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
污水中的营养物确实会加快港口的海____生长。
Sewage nutrients do increase algal growth in the harbour.
Example Sentences for 藻 (5)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
污水中的营养物确实会加快港口的海藻生长。
wū shuǐ zhōng de yíng yǎng wù què shí huì jiā kuài gǎng kǒu de hǎi zǎo shēng cháng。
Sewage nutrients do increase algal growth in the harbour.
