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扎
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zhā / zhá / zā · to bind, to wrap

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 6HSK 3.0 · Level 6Frequency #3490
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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

扎 has 3 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

zhā

to prick; to run or stick (a needle etc) into; mug or jug used for serving beer (loanword from "jar"); (of troops) to be stationed (at)

扎根zhā gēn · to take root
zhá

used in 掙扎|挣扎[zheng1 zha2]

挣扎zhēng zhá · to struggle
zā

to tie; to bind; classifier for flowers, banknotes etc: bundle

包扎bāo zā · to wrap up
Step-by-step explorer

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Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

4Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

扌Key radical

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Print and practise

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Vocabulary in context

Common words with 扎

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

zhāto prick; to run or stick (a needle etc) into; mug or jug used for serving beer (loanword from "jar"); (of troops) to be stationed (at)
zháused in 掙扎|挣扎[zheng1 zha2]
zāto tie; to bind; classifier for flowers, banknotes etc: bundle
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 扎 sits in each complete thought.

Tā yòng bēng dài bāozā le shāng kǒu.他用绷带包扎了伤口。

He wound a bandage around the wound.

Source: Tatoeba #2177504 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tāng mǔ zhēngzhá zhe zhàn le qǐ lái.汤姆挣扎着站了起来。

Tom struggled to his feet.

Source: Tatoeba #13887453 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bēng dài bǎ shāng kǒu bāozā zhù le.绷带把伤口包扎住了。

The bandage was wound around the wound.

Source: Tatoeba #2177507 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zhēngzhá zhe jǐ chū dì tiě.我挣扎着挤出地铁。

I struggled to get out of the subway.

Source: Tatoeba #350057 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Mǎ kè · zhā kè bó gé tōu le wǒ de zhǔ yì!馬克·扎克伯格偷了我的主意！

Mark Zuckerberg stole my idea!

Source: Tatoeba #10301563 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā bá chū le yì gēn ér zhā zài lún tāi lǐ de cì.她拔出了一根兒扎在輪胎裡的刺。

She pulled a thorn out of the tyre.

Source: Tatoeba #10530864 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 扎 in context

  1. Say zhā / zhá / zā, then recall the core meaning: to bind, to wrap.
  2. Write all 4 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 包扎 (bāo zā), meaning “to wrap up”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 扎 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.