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卓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zhuósurname Zhuonr, 8 strokes, radical 十, rank #12855, Hard
zhuóoutstandingnr, 8 strokes, radical 十, rank #12855, Hard
zhuóprofound, lofty, brilliantnr, 8 strokes, radical 十, rank #12855, Hard
zhuó(Zhuo2) T2
  1. 1outstanding
  2. 2profound, lofty, brilliant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
zhuó(Zhuo2)

卓 (zhuó) is a character that conveys the meaning of being outstanding, profound, or lofty. It is often used to describe excellence in various contexts, such as talent, achievements, or intellect. As a surname, 卓 is also common in Chinese-speaking communities.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#12855DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

卓 is associated with the idea of excellence and is often used in educational settings, reflecting the cultural value placed on achievement and intellectual prowess in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall and lofty mountain peak, representing excellence that stands above all others. The character 卓 features the 'table' radical (卓) at the bottom, suggesting something that stands out prominently, just like a table stands out in a room.

Meanings of 卓

zhuó(Zhuo2)
1outstanding
2profound, lofty, brilliant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 卓

Simplified
8Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#12855Frequency Rank

Podcast: 卓

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 卓

Quick Contrast

卓 (zhuó) vs 优 (yōu): Use 卓 for a sense of outstanding or lofty quality, while 优 emphasizes superiority or excellence in a more general sense.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tall and lofty mountain peak, representing excellence that stands above all others. The character 卓 features the 'table' radical (卓) at the bottom, suggesting something that stands out prominently, just like a table stands out in a room.

Usage Notes

卓 is often used in formal contexts, such as academic or professional environments, to highlight achievements. Common collocations include '卓越' (outstanding) and '卓识' (profound insight). Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 卓 is not listed in the current HSK levels, it connects to concepts of excellence found in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on its pronunciation and context to distinguish it from other words with similar tones.

Cultural Note

卓 is associated with the idea of excellence and is often used in educational settings, reflecting the cultural value placed on achievement and intellectual prowess in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 卓 with similar-sounding words, such as '拙' (zhuó), which means clumsy or awkward. Remember that 卓 has a positive connotation related to excellence, while '拙' is negative.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 卓

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Etymology of 卓

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a person standing erect with something above the head. The significance of the object above the head is unclear.

Memory Hint

To foresee ⺊ the dawn 早 coming; 早 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 卓?

Decomposition of 卓

IDS Structure⿱⺊早
Full Character
=
top
zao3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 卓?

Write 卓

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

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Grammar Patterns of 卓

卓 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

公司在降低成本方面付出了艰苦____绝的努力。

The company has made heroic efforts at cost reduction.

Example Sentences for 卓 (9)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
公司在降低成本方面付出了艰苦卓绝的努力。

gōng sī zài jiàng dī chéng běn fāng miàn fù chū le jiān kǔ zhuó jué de nǔ lì。

The company has made heroic efforts at cost reduction.
2
开始演奏前, 哈利先行调好他的班卓琴.

kāi shǐ yǎn zòu qián, , hā lì xiān háng tiáo hǎo tā de bān zhuó.

Before he began to play, Harry tuned up his banjo.
3
莫里斯先生认为博物馆作的广告卓有成效。

mò lǐ sī xiān shēng rèn wéi bó wù guǎn zuò de guǎng gào zhuó yǒu chéng xiào。

Mr Morris feels the museum is using advertising to good effect.
4
我之所以得到提拔是由于立下了所谓的英勇卓越的功勋。

wǒ zhī suǒ yǐ dé dào tí bá shì yóu yú lì xià le suǒ wèi de yīng yǒng zhuó yuè de gōng xūn。

I had been promoted for what was called gallant and meritorious service.
5
她非常忠于职守, 一位卓越的女警察.

tā fēi cháng zhōng yú zhí shǒu, , yī wèi zhuó yuè de nǚ jǐng.

She was strongly committed to her job, a policewoman by eminence.
6
这项卓越技术的清晰度比常规的X光高得多。

zhè xiàng zhuó yuè jì shù de qīng xī dù bǐ cháng guī deX X guāng gāo dé。

This remarkable technology provides far greater clarity than conventional x-rays.
7
最卓越最完美的小姐, 愿诸天为您散下芬芳的香雾!

zuì zhuó yuè zuì wán měi de xiǎo jiě, , yuàn zhū tiān wéi nín sàn xià fēn fāng de xiāng!

Most excellent accomplished lady, the heavens rain odours on you!
8
卓尹: 我好象吃过这道菜. 是有点辣 吗 ?

zhuó yǐn: : wǒ hǎo xiàng chī guò zhè dào. cài . shì yǒu diǎn?

Zoe: It'seems I have tasted that dish. Is it a little hot?
9
他拨了拨班卓琴的琴弦, 每个人就都跟著唱了起了.

tā bō le bō bān zhuó qín de qín xián, , měi gè rén jiù dū gēn zhù chàng le qǐ.

With a few pluck at the string of his banjo, everybodyis singing along.

Cultural Notes for 卓

🏮Cultural insight

卓 is associated with the idea of excellence and is often used in educational settings, reflecting the cultural value placed on achievement and intellectual prowess in Chinese society.

Word Family of 卓

Compounds17
diao4to fall
zhao4cover
dao4to mourn
chao1graceful, delicate; spacious
Nao4mud, slush
zhuo1noticeable, large; distinct, clear
zhao4oar; boat
chao1to scald; to flash-boil vegetables
chuo1to stride, to excel, to get ahead
chuo4graceful, delicate; spacious
Words Containing This Character12
卓越zhuóyuèoutstanding
zhuósurname Zhuo
安卓Android (operating system for mobile devices)
卓有成效highly effective
卓著outstanding
卓别林Charlie Chaplin (1899-1977), English movie actor and director卓別林
董卓Dong Zhuo (-192), top general of late Han, usurped power in 189, murdered empress dowager and child emperor, killed in 192 by Lü Bu 呂布|吕布
卓绝unsurpassed卓絕
远见卓识visionary and sagacious (idiom)遠見卓識
班卓琴banjo (loanword)
卓越网Joyo.com卓越網
卓然outstanding
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 掉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 卓

In personal names, 卓 often conveys the hope that the individual will be outstanding or successful.