to display; to expand, to open; to stretch; a sheet of paper
HSK 3, q, 7 strokes, radical 弓, rank #320, Medium
zhāng(zhang1) T1
1to open up
2to spread
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
张(張)zhāng(zhang1)
The character 张 (Zhāng) primarily means 'to open up' or 'to spread.' It is commonly used as a surname and as a classifier for flat objects such as sheets of paper, making it versatile in both everyday and formal contexts. Additionally, it can refer to the act of displaying or expanding something.
Strokes7Radical弓Frequency#320DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The surname 张 is one of the most common surnames in China, often associated with historical figures and literary works. In Chinese culture, surnames are important identifiers that can reflect lineage and heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large paper sheet (张) being stretched out in front of you, symbolizing 'to spread.' The character looks like a person with arms wide open, inviting you to take a look at the flat sheet they are holding, reinforcing both the pronunciation 'Zhāng' and its meanings.
Meanings of 张
zhāng(zhang1)
1to open up
2to spread
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 张
张Simplified
張Traditional
7Strokes
弓Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#320Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 张
Podcast: 张
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 张
Quick Contrast
扩 (kuò, to expand) — use 张 (zhāng) when referring specifically to opening or spreading something, while 扩 (kuò) focuses more on the idea of increasing size or scope.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large paper sheet (张) being stretched out in front of you, symbolizing 'to spread.' The character looks like a person with arms wide open, inviting you to take a look at the flat sheet they are holding, reinforcing both the pronunciation 'Zhāng' and its meanings.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 张 with 章 (zhāng), which means a chapter or a seal. It is important to use the correct tone and context, particularly when referring to items like paper. In formal situations, you might see it used in phrases like '张纸' (a sheet of paper) or '张票' (a ticket).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 张 is an essential character for learners to master, especially as it connects to other vocabulary related to counting and measuring. Students should focus on its usage as a classifier and in common phrases.
Cultural Note
The surname 张 is one of the most common surnames in China, often associated with historical figures and literary works. In Chinese culture, surnames are important identifiers that can reflect lineage and heritage.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to use 张 when referring to objects that are not flat. For example, saying '张书' (a book) is incorrect; the correct term would be '本书' (běn shū). Another mistake is mispronouncing it as 'zhang' (without the tone), which changes its meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 张
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 张 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 张 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 张
张 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 7 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.
It is the mother who is expected to reorganize her busy schedule.
10
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.
Cultural Notes for 张
💡Did you know?
The character 张 (Zhāng) is not only a common surname in China but also frequently used in everyday contexts, especially as a classifier for flat objects. In traditional Chinese culture, flat objects like paper are significant for calligraphy and painting.
🏮Cultural insight
The surname 张 is one of the most common surnames in China, often associated with historical figures and literary works. In Chinese culture, surnames are important identifiers that can reflect lineage and heritage.
Word Family of 张
Compounds1
涨zhang3to rise (of prices, rivers)
Words Containing This Character20
张zhāngto open up張
紧张jǐnzhāngnervous緊張
扩张kuòzhāngexpansion擴張
主张zhǔzhāngto advocate主張
夸张kuāzhāngto exaggerate誇張
张开to open up張開
开张kāizhāngto open a business開張
张扬zhāngyángto make public張揚
张力tension張力
嚣张rampant囂張
张艺谋Zhang Yimou (1950-), PRC film director張藝謀
张贴zhāngtiēto advertise張貼
纸张paper紙張
慌张huāngzhāngconfused慌張
伸张shēnzhāngto promote伸張
虚张声势(false) bravado虛張聲勢
张嘴to gape張嘴
张口to gape張口
张望to look around張望
张柏芝Cecilia Cheung (1980-), Hong Kong actress and pop singer張柏芝
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 涨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 张
Common phrases include '张嘴' (zhāng zuǐ) meaning 'to open one's mouth' and '张开' (zhāng kāi) meaning 'to spread open.' These expressions highlight the usage of 张 in everyday language.
Yes, 张 (Zhāng) is one of the most common surnames in China. It has a rich historical background and is associated with many notable figures and families throughout Chinese history.
张 (Zhāng) has several meanings in Chinese. It can refer to a surname, commonly used in China. Additionally, it means 'to spread' or 'to open,' and it serves as a classifier for flat objects like sheets of paper or votes.
张 (Zhāng) is used as a classifier for flat objects in Chinese. For example, you can say '一张纸' (yī zhāng zhǐ) meaning 'a sheet of paper.' It is important to use it with the correct measure word when describing flat items.
When used as a classifier, 张 refers to flat objects, such as sheets of paper or tickets.
No, while 张 is a common surname, it also has various meanings related to opening, spreading, and classifying flat items.
