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制裁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
制裁zhìcáito punishHSK 7, n, rank #10592, Hard
制裁zhìcáipunishmentHSK 7, n, rank #10592, Hard
制裁zhìcáisanctions (incl. economic)HSK 7, n, rank #10592, Hard
zhìcái(zhi4cai2) T4
  1. 1to punish
  2. 2punishment
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March 24, 2026
制裁zhìcái(zhi4cai2)

制裁 (zhìcái) refers to punitive measures imposed on individuals, organizations, or countries as a response to certain actions or behaviors. It is commonly used in contexts relating to international relations, where governments may impose economic or political sanctions to enforce compliance or punish wrongdoing.

Frequency#10592DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In recent years, China has been involved in various international sanctions discussions, especially regarding trade and diplomatic relations. Understanding 制裁 is crucial for grasping the complexities of China's stance in global politics.

Memory Tip

Imagine a judge (制) with a giant 'C' in hand (裁) ready to deliver a punishment for wrongdoing. The shape of the character 制 suggests a tool used for control, while 裁 resembles a pair of scissors, symbolizing cutting off support or resources as a form of punishment.

Meanings of 制裁

zhìcái(zhi4cai2)
1to punish
2punishment
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 制裁

制裁Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10592Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 制裁

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Podcast: 制裁

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AI Study Notes for 制裁

Quick Contrast

惩罚 (chéngfá) refers to punishment for wrongdoing, often in a legal or disciplinary context, while 制裁 (zhìcái) specifically involves punitive measures taken by governments or international bodies.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a judge (制) with a giant 'C' in hand (裁) ready to deliver a punishment for wrongdoing. The shape of the character 制 suggests a tool used for control, while 裁 resembles a pair of scissors, symbolizing cutting off support or resources as a form of punishment.

Usage Notes

Be careful using 制裁 in casual conversations, as it carries a formal and serious tone. Common collocations include '经济制裁' (economic sanctions) and '国际制裁' (international sanctions). Avoid confusing it with related terms like '惩罚' (chěngfá), which is more general and can refer to punishment in various contexts.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 6 word, 制裁 connects with other terms related to governance and international law. Students should focus on understanding the contexts in which sanctions are applied and practice using it in discussions about global affairs.

Cultural Note

In recent years, China has been involved in various international sanctions discussions, especially regarding trade and diplomatic relations. Understanding 制裁 is crucial for grasping the complexities of China's stance in global politics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 制裁 with 惩罚, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我对他进行了制裁' (I punished him with sanctions) is incorrect; it should be '我对他进行了惩罚' unless discussing formal sanctions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 制裁

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Component Characters

zhìsystem
HSK 68 strokes
View full entry
cáito cut out (as a dress)
HSK 712 strokes
View full entry

Write 制裁

Practice writing 制裁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 制裁

制裁 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

我们的记者一直在评估____带来的影响。

Our corre-spondent has been assessing the impact of the sanctions.

Example Sentences for 制裁 (5)

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1
我们的记者一直在评估制裁带来的影响。

wǒ mén de jì zhě yī zhí zài píng gū zhì cái dài lái de yǐng xiǎng。

Our corre-spondent has been assessing the impact of the sanctions.
2
制裁可能会是争议最大的问题之一。

zhì cái kě néng huì shì zhēng yì zuì dà de wèn tí zhī yī。

Sanctions are expected to be among the most contentious issues.
3
新措施旨在加强现行的制裁。

xīn cuò shī zhǐ zài jiā qiáng xiàn háng de zhì cái。

The new measures are aimed at tightening existing sanctions.
4
你认为行凶抢劫者应该受到更严厉的制裁? 完全正确, 我举双手赞成.

nǐ rèn wéi háng xiōng qiāng jié zhě yīng gāi shòu dào gēng yán lì de zhì cái? ? wán quán zhèng, què , wǒ jǔ shuāng shǒu.

You think that muggers should be punished more severely? Just so, I'm in total agreement.
5
法律早晚会制裁你们这些人渣的.

fǎ lǜ zǎo wǎn huì zhì cái nǐ mén zhè xiē rén zhā de.

Sooner or later the law will punish scum like you.

Cultural Notes for 制裁

🏮Cultural insight

In recent years, China has been involved in various international sanctions discussions, especially regarding trade and diplomatic relations. Understanding 制裁 is crucial for grasping the complexities of China's stance in global politics.

Frequently Asked Questions about 制裁

制裁 refers specifically to sanctions imposed by governments or authorities, often in international contexts, while 惩罚 is a more general term for punishment in various situations.