to summon, to recruit; levy, tax; journey; invasion
HSK 7, zg, 15 strokes, radical 彳, rank #22323, Very Hard
徵
zhǐ
4th note in pentatonic scale 五音[wu3 yin1], roughly sol
HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 彳, rank #22323, Very Hard
徵
zhēng
to summon, to recruit; levy, tax; journey; invasion
HSK 7, zg, 15 strokes, radical 彳, rank #22323, Very Hard
徵
zhēng
4th note in pentatonic scale 五音[wu3 yin1], roughly sol
HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical 彳, rank #22323, Very Hard
zhēng(zheng1)
primary
T1
1to summon, to recruit; levy, tax; journey; invasion
24th note in pentatonic scale 五音[wu3 yin1], roughly sol
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March 24, 2026
徵zhēng(zheng1)
The character 徵 (zhēng) primarily means to summon or recruit, often used in the context of calling people to service or duty. It can also refer to a levy or tax imposed by authorities. Additionally, in musical contexts, it denotes the fourth note in the pentatonic scale, roughly corresponding to 'sol'.
Strokes15Radical彳Frequency#22323DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the idea of summoning or recruiting often relates to military service or civil duties, reflecting the historical importance of collective responsibility. The connection to music also highlights the significance of harmony and order in Chinese philosophy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a general summoning his troops (征) for an important journey. The character's structure can be visualized as a person (亻) being called forth by the sound (征) of a trumpet, echoing through the mountains, a metaphor for recruitment.
Meanings of 徵
zhēng(zheng1)
primary
1to summon, to recruit; levy, tax; journey; invasion
24th note in pentatonic scale 五音[wu3 yin1], roughly sol
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 徵
徵Simplified
15Strokes
彳Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 徵
Podcast: 徵
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 徵
Quick Contrast
徵 (zhēng) vs 征 (zhēng) — use 徵 when referring to summoning or recruiting, and 征 for the act of journeying or expedition.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in formal contexts, such as legal or governmental documents. Common mistakes include confusing it with 征 (zheng1), meaning to conquer or invade; remember that 徵 (zhēng) is more about summoning. Pay attention to the tone to avoid miscommunication.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the official HSK levels, students at HSK 4 should focus on understanding its use in formal language and contexts involving music or governmental terms. It connects with other HSK vocabulary related to duties and responsibilities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 徵 (zhēng) with 征 (zheng1), leading to misinterpretations of context. For instance, using '征' in place of '徵' when discussing music or recruitment can change the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 徵
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2The sound half正 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaystep
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 徵? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 徵?
Decomposition of 徵
IDS Structure⿲彳⿱山⿱一王攵
徵Full Character
=
彳chi4
left
山Shan1
top
一yi1
top
王Wang2
bottom
攵pu1
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 徵?
How to say to summon, to recruit; levy, tax; journey; invasion in Chinese
“to summon, to recruit; levy, tax; journey; invasion” in Chinese is徵zhǐ
The character 徵 (zhēng) primarily means to summon or recruit, often used in the context of calling people to service or duty. It can also refer to a levy or tax imposed by authorities. Additionally, in musical contexts, it denotes the fourth note in the pentatonic scale, roughly corresponding to 'sol'.
When to use 徵
This character is often used in formal contexts, such as legal or governmental documents. Common mistakes include confusing it with 征 (zheng1), meaning to conquer or invade; remember that 徵 (zhēng) is more about summoning. Pay attention to the tone to avoid miscommunication.
徵 or something close to it
徵 (zhēng) vs 征 (zhēng) — use 徵 when referring to summoning or recruiting, and 征 for the act of journeying or expedition.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 徵 (zhēng) with 征 (zheng1), leading to misinterpretations of context. For instance, using '征' in place of '徵' when discussing music or recruitment can change the intended meaning.
Write 徵
徵
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Practice writing 徵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 徵
徵 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
