HSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
照
zhào
to illuminate
HSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
照
zhào
to shine, to reflect, to illuminate
HSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
照
zhào
to look at (one's reflection)
HSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
照
zhào
to take (a photo)
HSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
照
zhào
photo
HSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
照
zhào
as requested
HSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
照
zhào
as before
HSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 灬, rank #862, Medium
zhào(zhao4) T4
1to shine
2to illuminate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
照(炤)zhào(zhao4)
The character 照 (zhào) encompasses meanings related to shining, illuminating, and reflecting light. It is commonly used in contexts involving photography, as well as metaphorically to indicate looking back at something or fulfilling a request. In everyday language, it can refer to the act of taking a photo or providing illumination.
Strokes13Radical灬Frequency#862DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
Photography is an important aspect of Chinese culture, especially during festivals and family gatherings. The character 照 reflects this cultural appreciation for capturing moments and memories.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright light shining down (the radical 灬 indicates fire or light), illuminating everything around it. Picture a photographer asking you to 'shine' for the camera as they take your photo. The sound 'zhào' can be remembered as a 'zhao' (shining) moment in the spotlight.
Meanings of 照
zhào(zhao4)
1to shine
2to illuminate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 照
照Simplified
炤Traditional
13Strokes
灬Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#862Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 照
Podcast: 照
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AI Study Notes for 照
Quick Contrast
照 (zhào) vs 亮 (liàng) — use 照 when referring specifically to shining or illuminating something, while 亮 emphasizes brightness or clarity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bright light shining down (the radical 灬 indicates fire or light), illuminating everything around it. Picture a photographer asking you to 'shine' for the camera as they take your photo. The sound 'zhào' can be remembered as a 'zhao' (shining) moment in the spotlight.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 照 (zhào), as using the wrong tone can change the meaning. It is often used in phrases like 照相 (take a photo) and 照亮 (to illuminate). Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words or using it in inappropriate contexts.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 4, 照 connects with other vocabulary related to light and photography, such as 光 (light) and 照片 (photo). Focus on using it in sentences about taking pictures or describing illumination to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
Photography is an important aspect of Chinese culture, especially during festivals and family gatherings. The character 照 reflects this cultural appreciation for capturing moments and memories.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 照 (zhào) with the similar-sounding 照顾 (zhàogù), which means to take care of someone. For example, saying '我照顾' instead of '我照' can lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 照
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Grammar Patterns of 照
照 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 8 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.
The shirt's cuffs won't sag and lose their shape after washing.
Cultural Notes for 照
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, taking photos is often seen as a way to capture memories and moments. The phrase '照相' (zhàoxiàng), which means 'to take a photo,' combines the character 照 with 相 (xiàng), meaning 'to look at' or 'image'.
🏮Cultural insight
Photography is an important aspect of Chinese culture, especially during festivals and family gatherings. The character 照 reflects this cultural appreciation for capturing moments and memories.
Word Family of 照
Compounds1
燳
Words Containing This Character20
照片zhàopiànphotograph
按照ànzhàoaccording to
照zhàoaccording to
照顾zhàogùto take care of照顧
对照duìzhàoto contrast對照
拍照pāizhàoto take a picture
护照hùzhàopassport護照
照看to look after
依照yīzhàoaccording to
驾照jiàzhàodriver's license駕照
执照zhízhàolicense執照
牌照páizhào(business) licence
参照cānzhàoto consult a reference參照
照相zhàoxiàngto take a photograph
照明zhàomínglighting
照样zhàoyàngas before照樣
关照guānzhàoto take care關照
照射to shine on
照相机zhàoxiàngjīcamera照相機
照料zhàoliàoto tend
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 照片 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 照
照 (zhào) refers to the act of shining, reflecting, or taking a photo, while 照片 (zhàopiàn) specifically means 'photo' or 'picture'. The addition of '片' (piàn) indicates that it is a physical image captured, whereas '照' can refer to the action itself. Understanding this difference can help in using these terms correctly in context.
Yes, 照 can be part of idiomatic expressions in Chinese. For instance, '照顾' (zhàogù) means 'to take care of' and shows how the character can extend beyond its basic meanings. Learning these expressions can enhance your understanding and fluency in the language.
照 (zhào) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'to shine', 'to illuminate', and 'to reflect'. It can also mean 'to look at one's reflection' or 'to take a photo'. This character is commonly used in both everyday conversation and written Chinese.
You can use 照 in sentences to describe actions involving light or reflection. For example, you might say '照亮房间' (zhào liàng fáng jiān), which means 'to illuminate the room'. Additionally, you can use it when talking about taking photos, such as '我照了一张照片' (wǒ zhào le yī zhāng zhàopiàn), meaning 'I took a photo'.
Common phrases include 照相 (to take a photo) and 照亮 (to illuminate).
Yes, it can be used to describe reflecting on past events or fulfilling a request.
While primarily associated with light, it also extends to photography and reflections.
