字 Stroke Order — How to Write 字
字 is written in 6 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 子, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
字 Radical and Character Components
字 is an ideographic compound. A child 子 in a house 宀; 子 also provides the pronunciation.
Radical: 子 + 3 more strokes
字 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- zì
Meanings of 字 in Chinese
1
zì字
A character or written symbol used to represent language, such as a word, letter, or a single Chinese character; it can also refer to handwriting or the content of written text.
写文章时，他总是字斟句酌，力求表达准确。
When writing articles, he always weighs every word, striving for precise expression.
Different forms or styles of written characters, particularly referring to various schools or styles of calligraphy.
他学习了颜字，写得一手好书法
He studied Yan style calligraphy and writes excellent calligraphy.
A piece of calligraphy or calligraphic work.
他是一位书法家，他的字非常有名。
He is a calligrapher, and his calligraphic works are very famous.
Refers to the sound or pronunciation of a character/word, often emphasizing clear, accurate, and melodious articulation, similar to the idiom '字正腔圆' (perfect articulation).
她的发音很标准，每个字都念得字正腔圆
Her pronunciation is very standard; every character is articulated clearly and perfectly.
An alias or courtesy name (表字), historically given to adults, now more commonly refers to a pen name (号).
古人常取一个与本名相辅的字。
Ancient people often took a courtesy name that complemented their given name.
A written pledge or agreement; a simplified form of 'contract' or 'IOU'.
他给我写了个字，保证明天送货上门。
He gave me a written pledge, guaranteeing to deliver the goods to my door tomorrow.
An archaic usage, referring to a woman getting married, as in 'dài zì guī zhōng' (waiting to be married).
她虽然已过芳龄，但依然待字闺中，期待着良缘。
Although she is past her maidenly age, she is still unmarried, awaiting a good match.
To bear, give birth to, or nurture (offspring); to raise.
母亲字育我们，付出了无数心血。
Our mother nurtured us, dedicating countless efforts.
Common Words and Phrases with 字
1
A reference book containing a list of words, usually in alphabetical order, with their meanings, pronunciations, and other relevant information.
我经常查阅字典来学习生词的用法。
I often consult the dictionary to learn the usage of new words.
2
The tones of Chinese characters, referring to the rise and fall in pitch of their pronunciation.
学习汉语时，掌握准确的字调是发音清晰的关键。
When learning Chinese, mastering the accurate tones of characters is key to clear pronunciation.
3
A scroll or banner featuring large-character calligraphy, often hung vertically or horizontally.
书房的墙上挂着一幅名家字幅。
A renowned calligrapher's scroll hangs on the wall of the study.
4
5
The name of a shop or brand; or a character-based mark for numbering or sequencing.
这家老字号的糕点店，以其独特的制作工艺和响亮的字号闻名
This long-established pastry shop is famous for its unique craftsmanship and well-known brand name.
6
7
A glossary, wordbook, or vocabulary.
这部字汇对学习古文很有帮助。
This glossary is very helpful for studying classical Chinese.
8
handwriting
他信上的字迹工整有力，显示出书写者的认真态度。
The handwriting on his letter was neat and strong, indicating the writer's meticulous attitude.
9
A byte, typically an 8-bit unit of digital information.
这个文件的大小是10兆字节。
The size of this file is 10 megabytes.
10
words and expressions
这篇报告的字句清晰易懂，没有生僻词。
The wording of this report is clear and easy to understand, with no obscure words.
11
A written pledge or document serving as proof or evidence, such as an IOU, invoice, or contract.
请妥善保管好这些字据，它们是将来处理纠纷的重要凭证。
Please keep these documents of proof properly, as they are important evidence for resolving future disputes.
12
A block of characters or data treated as a single unit, typically for transmission or storage.
为了提高数据传输效率，系统将多个字块打包后一次性发送。
To improve data transmission efficiency, the system packs multiple word blocks and sends them all at once.
13
A group of different fonts (e.g., light, bold) that originate from a basic typeface design; a type family.
在海报设计中，选择合适的字类能够有效传达信息，并提升视觉冲击力
In poster design, choosing the appropriate font category can effectively convey information and enhance visual impact.
14
between the lines; the implied meaning in a text
从他写给母亲的信中，我能感受到字里行间透露出的浓浓思念。
From the letter he wrote to his mother, I could feel the deep longing revealed between the lines.
15
16
A riddle about a Chinese character.
他喜欢在节日聚会上给大家出一些有趣的字谜
He enjoys creating interesting character riddles for everyone at holiday gatherings.
More words with 字
- qiān签zì字to sign; to put one's signature
- cè测zì字character divination, divination by analyzing characters
- liàn炼zì字refine the wording, polish one's writing
- mǎ码zì字to type, to write
- máng盲zì字braille
- xǔ许zì字The character 'Xu'
- zāng脏zì字swear word, dirty word
- zhù铸zì字Cast type, Typefounding
- chèn衬zì字filler word, padded word
- zhú逐zì字word for word
- fán繁tǐ体zì字Traditional Chinese characters, Traditional Chinese
- kōu抠zì字yǎn眼Split hairs, Quibble
- tí题zì字inscription, dedication
- xiě写zì字tái台A writing desk.
- é讹zì字wrong words in a text
- mò默zì字write words from memory
- cuò错bié别zì字Typo, Miswritten character
- fǔ辅yīn音zì字mǔ母consonant letter, consonant
- jiǎn简huà化hàn汉zì字Simplify Chinese characters, Character simplification
- xiàng象xíng形wén文zì字hieroglyphs, pictographs
Idioms with 字
- zì字xié挟fēng风shuāng霜stern and critical writing
- zì字zhēn斟jù句zhuó酌weigh every word and phrase
- zì字zhèng正qiāng腔yuán圆articulate words clearly with a melodious tone
- zì字zì字zhū珠jī玑Every word a pearl
- bā八zì字dǎ打kāi开take a roundabout or unconventional approach
- bái白zhǐ纸hēi黑zì字in black and white
- bái白zì字lián连piān篇full of typos
- bù不yì易yī一zì字perfectly written, needs no changes
- dài待zì字guī闺zhōng中unmarried woman awaiting betrothal
- jīn金zì字zhāo招pai牌a prestigious brand or name
- pì僻zì字sè涩jù句obscure words and difficult sentences
- piàn片yán言zhī只zì字a few words or a mere fragment of text
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Open the tool →Questions about 字
What does 字 mean in Chinese?
字 (zì) means “An alias or courtesy name (表字)” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 字?
字 is pronounced zì in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 字 have?
字 has 6 strokes.
How do you write 字?
字 is written in 6 strokes, starting from the radical 子. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 字?
The radical of 字 is 子, and 字 is an ideographic compound.