in charge; the palm of the hand, the sole of the foot
v, 12 strokes, radical 手, rank #2700, Hard
zhǎng(zhang3) T3
1palm of the hand
2sole of the foot
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March 24, 2026
掌zhǎng(zhang3)
The character 掌 (zhǎng) primarily refers to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot. It can also denote actions such as to hold or to wield something, and is often used in a context implying authority or control, as in being 'in charge'. This character is versatile and can be seen in various compounds and phrases.
Strokes12Radical手Frequency#2700DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '掌' extends to leadership and authority, often seen in idioms and phrases that emphasize the importance of having control over situations or people.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant palm (掌) holding a large object, symbolizing control and authority. The left part of the character (扌) is a hand radical, reminding you that it relates to the palm, while the right part (章) looks like a book, suggesting that you are 'holding' knowledge in your hands.
Meanings of 掌
zhǎng(zhang3)
1palm of the hand
2sole of the foot
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 掌
掌Simplified
12Strokes
手Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2700Frequency Rank
Podcast: 掌
Podcast: 掌
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AI Study Notes for 掌
Quick Contrast
掌 (zhǎng) vs 持 (chí) — use 掌 when emphasizing authority or control, while 持 focuses on the act of holding.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant palm (掌) holding a large object, symbolizing control and authority. The left part of the character (扌) is a hand radical, reminding you that it relates to the palm, while the right part (章) looks like a book, suggesting that you are 'holding' knowledge in your hands.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 掌 (zhǎng) with other similar characters like 手 (shǒu, hand) or 把 (bǎ, to hold), which can lead to incorrect usage. It is more commonly used in formal contexts when discussing authority or control, so be mindful of the register.
HSK Study Tips
Although 掌 is not included in the HSK levels, it is useful for intermediate learners as it connects to words like 手 (shǒu, hand) and 持 (chí, to hold). Focus on understanding its use in phrases related to control or authority to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '掌' extends to leadership and authority, often seen in idioms and phrases that emphasize the importance of having control over situations or people.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to confuse 掌 (zhǎng) with 章 (zhāng), which means 'chapter' or 'badge'. For example, saying '我在写章' (wǒ zài xiě zhāng) instead of '我在写掌' (wǒ zài xiě zhǎng) while trying to express 'I am writing with authority' is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 掌
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Grammar Patterns of 掌
掌 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 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.
It'sa bit tricky at first till you get the hang of it.
Cultural Notes for 掌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of '掌' extends to leadership and authority, often seen in idioms and phrases that emphasize the importance of having control over situations or people.
Word Family of 掌
Compounds5
撑cheng1to support
罉
幥
礃
鐣
Words Containing This Character20
掌握zhǎngwòto control
掌zhǎngpaw
掌声zhǎngshēngapplause掌聲
鼓掌gǔzhǎngto applaud
手掌shǒuzhǎngpalm
巴掌palm of the hand
掌管zhǎngguǎnin charge of
掌控to control
了如指掌to know sth like the back of one's hand (idiom)
掌权be in power掌權
击掌high five擊掌
仙人掌cactus
掌柜shopkeeper掌櫃
掌心hollow of the palm
易如反掌no effort at all
执掌to wield (power etc)執掌
掌舵to steer (a ship)
熊掌bear paw (as food)
脚掌the sole of the foot腳掌
摩拳擦掌to roll up one's sleeves for battle
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 撑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 掌
Yes, 掌 is used in idioms such as '掌中宝' (zhǎng zhōng bǎo), which translates to 'treasure in the palm', referring to someone or something very precious. This illustrates the character's significance in conveying value and importance.
Common phrases with 掌 include '掌声' (zhǎng shēng), which means 'applause', and '掌控' (zhǎng kòng), meaning 'to master' or 'to control'. These phrases highlight the versatility of the character in different contexts.
You can use 掌 (zhǎng) in sentences like '他的手掌很大' (tā de shǒu zhǎng hěn dà), which means 'His palm is very big.' It can also be used in expressions related to holding or control, such as '掌握' (zhǎng wò), meaning 'to grasp' or 'to control'.
掌 (zhǎng) primarily means 'palm' as in the palm of the hand, but it can also refer to the sole of the foot or a paw. Additionally, it can mean 'to hold' or 'to slap'. This character is often used in various contexts related to hands or holding.
You can say '掌握' (zhǎngwò), which means 'to grasp' or 'to master' something.
It's more commonly seen in written Chinese or formal speech, rather than in casual conversation.
Some examples include '掌声' (zhǎngshēng, applause) and '掌管' (zhǎngguǎn, to manage).
