HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to rent
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to charter
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to rent out
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to lease out
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
rent
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
land tax
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
租
zū
to rent, to lease; tax, rent
HSK 4, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1987, Medium
zū(zu1) T1
1to hire
2to rent
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March 24, 2026
租zū(zu1)
The character 租 (zū) primarily means 'to rent' or 'to lease.' It is commonly used in contexts involving property, vehicles, or equipment, where one party pays another for temporary use. The term can also refer to land tax in certain contexts, highlighting its versatility in both personal and financial matters.
Strokes10Radical禾Frequency#1987DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, renting is a common practice due to the high property prices in urban areas. Many young professionals rent apartments rather than buy, which reflects a shift in housing norms compared to previous generations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'zoo' where animals are 'rented' out for parties. The '土' (earth) radical signifies land, connecting it to the idea of renting property. Remember, 'zoo' and '租' (zū) share a similar sound, making it easier to recall the meaning of renting something.
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AI Study Notes for 租
Quick Contrast
出租 (chūzū) vs 租赁 (zūlìn) — use 租 when referring to the act of renting or leasing in a general sense, while 出租 emphasizes the action of offering something for rent.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'zoo' where animals are 'rented' out for parties. The '土' (earth) radical signifies land, connecting it to the idea of renting property. Remember, 'zoo' and '租' (zū) share a similar sound, making it easier to recall the meaning of renting something.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 租 with 买 (mǎi, to buy), so it's important to remember that 租 implies temporary possession. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially in real estate. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 租 connects well with other vocabulary related to housing and finance, such as 买 (mǎi, to buy) and 卖 (mài, to sell). Focus on practicing sentences that involve renting scenarios to reinforce its usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, renting is a common practice due to the high property prices in urban areas. Many young professionals rent apartments rather than buy, which reflects a shift in housing norms compared to previous generations.
Common Mistakes
A common error is using 租 when one means to buy; for example, saying '我想租一辆车' (Wǒ xiǎng zū yī liàng chē) when intending to say 'I want to buy a car.' The correct term for buying would be 买 (mǎi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 租
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Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "land tax". The meaning later shifted to "rent" and "hire".
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Practice writing 租 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 租
租 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
In Chinese culture, renting is a common practice due to the high property prices in urban areas. Many young professionals rent apartments rather than buy, which reflects a shift in housing norms compared to previous generations.
Word Family of 租
Words Containing This Character20
租zūto hire
出租车chūzūchētaxi出租車
出租chūzūto rent
房租fángzūrent for a room or house
租金zūjīnrent
租赁zūlìnto rent租賃
租用to lease
租借to rent
租约lease租約
租户tenant租戶
转租to sublet轉租
承租to rent
承租人leaser
地租land rent
包租to rent
租界settlement
招租(of a house or room) to be for rent
租价rent price租價
出租汽车taxi出租汽車
租房to rent an apartment
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 租 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 租
You can say '我打算租一个公寓' (Wǒ dǎsuàn zū yīgè gōngyù), which means 'I plan to rent an apartment.'
租 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for everyday conversations.
The opposite of 租 is 买 (mǎi), which means 'to buy.'
