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咋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
dialectal equivalent of 怎麼HSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
gnawHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
loud noiseHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
>怎么[zěn me]HSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
shoutHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
question-forming particle: why? what? how?; to bite; loudHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
suddenlyHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
dialectal equivalent of 怎麼|怎么[zen3 me5]HSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
dialectal equivalent of 怎麼HSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
gnawHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
loud noiseHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
>怎么[zěn me]HSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
shoutHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
question-forming particle: why? what? how?; to bite; loudHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
suddenlyHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
dialectal equivalent of 怎麼|怎么[zen3 me5]HSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhàdialectal equivalent of 怎麼HSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhàgnawHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhàloud noiseHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhà>怎么[zěn me]HSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhàshoutHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhàquestion-forming particle: why? what? how?; to bite; loudHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhàsuddenlyHSK 6, r, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
zhàdialectal equivalent of 怎麼|怎么[zen3 me5]HSK 6, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #4582, Hard
(za3)
primary
T3
  1. 1dialectal equivalent of 怎麼
  2. 2gnaw
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(za3)

The character 咋 (zǎ) serves several functions in Mandarin. Primarily, it is a dialectal equivalent of 怎么 (zěn me), often used in casual speech to ask questions about methods, means, or reasons, such as 'how' or 'what'. It can also imply a sudden action or loud noise, making it versatile in various contexts.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#4582DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In many northern Chinese dialects, 咋 is frequently used in everyday conversations. This reflects the local linguistic culture, where regional expressions enrich communication and provide a sense of identity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a loud 'zha!' sound when someone is startled, which sounds like '咋'. Picture a person biting into a crunchy snack, making a loud noise—this connects the character's meaning of 'loud' with its pronunciation.

Meanings of 咋

(za3)
primary
1dialectal equivalent of 怎麼
2gnaw
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 咋

Simplified
8Strokes
Radical
代词dàicípronoun (pron.)Part of Speech
#4582Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 咋

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 咋

Quick Contrast

怎么 (zěn me): use 咋 (zǎ) in informal contexts or dialects, while 怎么 is more standard.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a loud 'zha!' sound when someone is startled, which sounds like '咋'. Picture a person biting into a crunchy snack, making a loud noise—this connects the character's meaning of 'loud' with its pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 咋 with the more standard 怎么 (zěn me) in formal contexts; use 咋 predominantly in informal settings or dialects. Note that it often appears in phrases like '咋办?' (What to do?). Pay attention to the tone to avoid confusion with other characters.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 咋 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to questioning and expressions of surprise or inquiry. Focus on practicing its use in casual dialogues and understand its nuances in different regional dialects.

Cultural Note

In many northern Chinese dialects, 咋 is frequently used in everyday conversations. This reflects the local linguistic culture, where regional expressions enrich communication and provide a sense of identity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 咋 in formal contexts, leading to awkward phrasing. For example, saying '请问你咋能做到?' in a formal setting is incorrect; instead, use '请问你怎么能做到?'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 咋

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Etymology of 咋

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 乍 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 咋?

Decomposition of 咋

IDS Structure⿰口乍
Full Character
=
kou3
left
zha4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 咋?

Write 咋

Practice writing 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 咋

咋 functions as a pronoun — it stands in for a noun. Use it in the same positions as nouns (subject before verb, object after). Plurals are formed by adding 们 (我们, 他们). 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

护士和护士向我道别,嘱咐我出院后该____了做.

Doctors and nurses, to say theirss goodbyes and give orders.

Example Sentences for 咋 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
护士和护士向我道别,嘱咐我出院后该咋了做.

hù shì hé hù shì xiàng wǒ dào bié, , zhǔ fù wǒ chū yuàn hòu gāi zǎ le.

Doctors and nurses, to say theirss goodbyes and give orders.
2
我快14岁了, 还老打喷嚏, 的鼻炎, 咋 办 ?

wǒ kuài14 14 suì, le , huán lǎo dǎ, pēn tì ,, de bí?

I am fast 14 years old, return old sneeze, rhinitis, do how?
3
迈克尔: 比利, 你今天咋了坐在这张桌子上?

mài kè ěr: : bǐ, lì , nǐ jīn tiān zǎ le zuò zài zhè zhāng zhuō?

Michael: Billy, reason are not you at the desk nowadays?
4
我的整个部门咋都正式被洛杉矶警察局的反恐部管辖了呢?

wǒ de zhěng gè bù mén zǎ dū zhèng shì bèi luò shān jī jǐng chá jú de fǎn kǒng bù guǎn xiá le ne?

My entire division is officially part of the L . A. P . D .'scounterterrorism bureau?
5
咋看之下,这不是普通的破坏公物,图像带有政治意味.

zǎ kàn zhī xià, , zhè bù shì pǔ tōng de pò huài gōng, wù , tú xiàng dài yǒu zhèng zhì.

This is not normal vandalism but it comes with political intention.
6
这类事以后不准再除了了.你能告诉我咋了去机场吗?

zhè lèi shì yǐ hòu bù zhǔn zài chú le le. . nǐ néng gào sù wǒ zǎ le qù jī cháng?

Such kind of thing can't happen any abundance in a while.
7
一种高脚酒杯状的鼓咋普或多姆巴克,是波斯古典音乐中的主要打击乐器.

yī zhǒng gāo jiǎo jiǔ bēi zhuàng de gǔ zǎ pǔ huò duō mǔ bā kè, , shì bō sī gǔ diǎn yīn lè zhōng de zhǔ yào dǎ jī lè.

The dombak is the chief percussion instrument of Persian classical music.
8
请告诉我舌苔发黑是咋回事?

qǐng gào sù wǒ shé tái fā hēi shì zǎ huí shì?

Is asking coated tongue please turning black why returns to a thing?
9
钞票缝得这样结实, 还缀内衣里, 到商场咋往出掏?

chāo piào féng dé zhè yàng jié shí, , huán zhuì nèi yī, lǐ , dào shāng cháng zǎ wǎng?

The bill sew fructify so, underwear in, arrive the market go toward?
10
你想让我把花盆里的土都吃了还是咋地?

nǐ xiǎng ràng wǒ bǎ huā pén lǐ de tǔ dū chī le huán shì zǎ dì?

Do you want me to eat dirt from a flowerpot?

Cultural Notes for 咋

🏮Cultural insight

In many northern Chinese dialects, 咋 is frequently used in everyday conversations. This reflects the local linguistic culture, where regional expressions enrich communication and provide a sense of identity.

Word Family of 咋

Words Containing This Character3
dialectal equivalent of 怎麼|怎么[zěn​me]
咋舌to be speechless
咋呼bluster
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 咋 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 咋

No, 咋 is primarily used in informal spoken contexts and dialects; stick to 怎么 for formal situations.