Meanings of 處
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 處
Podcast: 處
Podcast: 處
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 處
处 (chù) vs 地方 (dìfāng) — use 处 for specific locations or offices, while 地方 is more general, referring to any place.
Be careful not to confuse 處 (chù) with 处 (chù) in its simplified form, as they represent the same character but may appear differently in contexts. It is more commonly used in formal settings, especially when referring to departments or official titles.
While 處 (chù) is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other location-related words such as 地方 (dìfāng, place) and 位置 (wèizhì, position). Focus on its usage in administrative contexts to enhance comprehension of formal documents.
Learners often confuse 處 with its usage as a verb, mistakenly using it to mean 'to handle' or 'to deal with' instead of recognizing its noun form. For example, saying '我處事情' (wǒ chù shìqíng) is incorrect; it should be '我处理事情' (wǒ chǔlǐ shìqíng) for 'I handle matters'.
Pronunciation of 處
Drill the tone of 處 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 處
Simplified form of 處. Phonosemantic compound. 夂 represents the meaning and 虎 represents the sound.
place
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 處
Simplified form of 處. Phonosemantic compound. 夂 represents the meaning and 虎 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half処 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half虍 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayplace
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 處? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 處?
Decomposition of 處
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 處?
How to say to reside at, to live in; place, locale; department in Chinese
“to reside at, to live in; place, locale; department” in Chinese is處
The character 處 (chù) primarily refers to a place or location where one resides or operates. It can also denote a department or office within an organization. Common usage contexts include discussing living arrangements, workplaces, or administrative divisions.
When to use 處
Be careful not to confuse 處 (chù) with 处 (chù) in its simplified form, as they represent the same character but may appear differently in contexts. It is more commonly used in formal settings, especially when referring to departments or official titles.
處 or something close to it
处 (chù) vs 地方 (dìfāng) — use 处 for specific locations or offices, while 地方 is more general, referring to any place.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 處 with its usage as a verb, mistakenly using it to mean 'to handle' or 'to deal with' instead of recognizing its noun form. For example, saying '我處事情' (wǒ chù shìqíng) is incorrect; it should be '我处理事情' (wǒ chǔlǐ shìqíng) for 'I handle matters'.
Write 處
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 處 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 處
Compound Meaning
What does 处 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 處
They are the same character; 處 is the traditional form, while 处 is the simplified version used in mainland China.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 處?
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.