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斟酌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
斟酌zhēnzhuóto considerHSK 7, v, rank #26501, Hard
斟酌zhēnzhuóto deliberateHSK 7, v, rank #26501, Hard
斟酌zhēnzhuóto fill up a cup to the brimHSK 7, v, rank #26501, Hard
zhēnzhuó(zhen1zhuo2) T1
  1. 1to consider
  2. 2to deliberate
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March 24, 2026
斟酌zhēnzhuó(zhen1zhuo2)

The verb 斟酌 (zhēnzhúo) means to carefully consider or deliberate over a matter before making a decision. It is often used in contexts where one must weigh options or assess situations thoughtfully, such as in discussions, negotiations, or making important choices.

Frequency#26501DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of deliberation is highly valued, especially in decision-making processes, reflecting the importance of harmony and careful thought in social interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a waiter carefully pouring wine into a cup, making sure not to spill. The action of pouring (斟) reflects the need to consider (酌) how full to fill the cup, which helps you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation of 斟酌.

Meanings of 斟酌

zhēnzhuó(zhen1zhuo2)
1to consider
2to deliberate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 斟酌

斟酌Simplified
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#26501Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 斟酌

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Podcast: 斟酌

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AI Study Notes for 斟酌

Quick Contrast

考虑 (kǎolǜ) — use 斟酌 when emphasizing careful deliberation over options, while 考虑 focuses more on general consideration.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a waiter carefully pouring wine into a cup, making sure not to spill. The action of pouring (斟) reflects the need to consider (酌) how full to fill the cup, which helps you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation of 斟酌.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 斟酌 with similar terms like 考虑 (kǎolǜ) which means to consider but is less formal. 斟酌 is typically used in more formal contexts or discussions, so it is best to use it in professional or serious conversations.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 斟酌 connects with other advanced vocabulary concerning decision-making and critical thinking. Students should focus on using this word in context, especially in written or spoken scenarios that require careful consideration.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of deliberation is highly valued, especially in decision-making processes, reflecting the importance of harmony and careful thought in social interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 斟酌 in casual conversations where 考虑 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我在斟酌晚餐吃什么' (I'm deliberating what to eat for dinner) sounds overly formal; instead, use '我在考虑晚餐吃什么.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 斟酌

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Component Characters

zhēnto pour
13 strokes
View full entry
zhuóto pour wine
10 strokes
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Write 斟酌

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

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Grammar Patterns of 斟酌

斟酌 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 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 2

Complete the Sentence

她讲话时____再三,说得非常慢。

She spoke very slowly, weighing what she would say.

Example Sentences for 斟酌 (2)

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1
她讲话时斟酌再三,说得非常慢。

tā jiǎng huà shí zhēn zhuó zài sān, , shuō dé fēi cháng。

She spoke very slowly, weighing what she would say.
2
他说话非常慢,好像每个字都要仔细斟酌。

tā shuō huà fēi cháng màn, , hǎo xiàng měi gè zì dū yào zī xì zhēn。

He said the words very slowly, as if weighing each one of them.

Cultural Notes for 斟酌

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the act of deliberation is highly valued, especially in decision-making processes, reflecting the importance of harmony and careful thought in social interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 斟酌

You can say '在做出决定之前,我需要仔细斟酌这个问题。' (Before making a decision, I need to carefully consider this issue.)