掌 Stroke Order — How to Write 掌
掌 is written in 12 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 手, 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.
掌 Radical and Character Components
掌 is a phono-semantic compound: 手 (hand) carries the meaning, while 尚 indicates the sound.
Radical: 手 + 8 more strokes
掌 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- zhǎng
Meanings of 掌 in Chinese
1
zhǎng掌
Palm of the hand; sole of the foot; to clap (as in applause).
观众们为他的精彩演出热烈鼓掌。
The audience applauded warmly for his wonderful performance.
To slap or strike using the palm of one's hand.
他被激怒，差点就一掌打过去。
He was provoked and almost slapped (them/it).
To be in charge of; to manage; to control.
这家餐厅的日常运营由他一人掌管。
He alone is in charge of the daily operations of this restaurant.
the sole of a shoe or the underside of an animal's hoof; a horseshoe or protective sole.
这双鞋的鞋掌已经磨破了，需要换新的。
The soles of this pair of shoes are already worn out and need to be replaced.
Historical anecdotes or stories, especially about historical figures, institutions, or local customs.
这本书记载了许多关于这个古老村落的掌故。
This book records many historical anecdotes about this ancient village.
Common Words and Phrases with 掌
1
butcher
掌案儿的熟练地割着肉，动作麻利
The meat cutter skillfully sliced the meat, his movements swift and agile.
2
manager of a theatrical troupe or a brothel
老戏园子的掌班精通戏曲，对手下演员的要求很高。
The manager of the old opera house was proficient in opera and had high standards for his actors.
3
to light a lamp; to hold a lamp
天色渐晚，家家户户开始掌灯。
As dusk fell, every household began to light their lamps.
4
To steer a boat, or metaphorically, to be in charge and direct a situation or organization.
他从小就对航海充满热情，长大后成为了一名出色的船长，总是在风浪中稳稳地掌舵
He has been passionate about sailing since childhood, and grew up to be an excellent captain, always steering steadily through winds and waves.
5
historical anecdotes or lore, often about past institutions, cultural evolution, or notable figures and events.
这位老教授对当地的风俗习惯和历史掌故了如指掌，经常给学生们讲述一些趣闻轶事。
This old professor is very knowledgeable about local customs and historical anecdotes, often telling students interesting stories.
6
to be in charge of; to manage
她掌管着这家餐厅的日常运营。
She is in charge of the daily operations of this restaurant.
7
to be the chef; to be in charge of cooking
每次家庭聚会，妈妈总是掌锅，为大家准备丰盛的美食。
At every family gathering, Mom is always in charge of the cooking, preparing a lavish feast for everyone.
8
A hit or strike with the palm of the hand; a slap.
拳击手在训练中反复练习用掌击拍打沙袋。
The boxer repeatedly practiced hitting the sandbag with palm strikes during training.
9
A shopkeeper or manager of a shop (especially in old times).
小二，把账本拿给掌柜的过目。
Waiter, bring the ledger to the shopkeeper for review.
10
to be in power; to hold power
这家公司的新任CEO在短短几年内便掌权，带领企业走向成功。
The company's new CEO took the reins within just a few years, leading the enterprise to success.
11
a beloved daughter; a pearl in the palm (referring to a cherished daughter or something extremely precious)
莉莉是王教授的掌上明珠，从小就备受宠爱。
Lily is Professor Wang's cherished daughter, having been deeply loved since childhood.
12
to be the chef or main cook; the person in charge of cooking
这次家宴，主厨掌勺儿，大家都很期待他做的菜。
For this family banquet, the head chef is in charge of cooking, and everyone is looking forward to his dishes.
13
to be in charge of affairs; to manage affairs
厨房里的事情一向是李大妈掌事。
Aunt Li has always been in charge of matters in the kitchen.
14
A Tang Dynasty official responsible for administrative duties, including military and civilian affairs, within a regional command.
在唐代，节度使府的掌书记常常负责处理重要的文书工作。
During the Tang Dynasty, the Zhang Shuji in the Jiedushi's office was often responsible for handling important official documents.
15
To master a skill or knowledge; to control or grasp a situation.
她通过不断的练习，成功掌握了这门复杂的编程语言。
Through continuous practice, she successfully mastered this complex programming language.
16
The center of the palm; figuratively, within one's control or grasp.
小狗轻轻舔着主人的掌心，表达它的亲近。
The puppy gently licked its owner's palm, showing its affection.
More words with 掌
- bā巴zhǎng掌the palm of a hand; a slap
- mó魔zhǎng掌clutches, evil clutches
- xióng熊zhǎng掌bear's paw served as a delicacy
- xiān仙rén人zhǎng掌Cactus.
- yāng鞅zhǎng掌busy; preoccupied with many affairs
- zhí扺zhǎng掌to clap one's hands
- shuǎi甩shǒu手zhǎng掌guì柜hands-off boss, armchair manager
- māo猫zhǎng掌fēng风Cat paw inflammation, Cat paw swelling
- zhǎng掌shēng声applause
- gú鼓zhǎng掌clap, applaud
- shóu手zhǎng掌palm
- xié鞋zhǎng掌shoe sole, outsole
- zhǎng掌wén纹palm print, palm lines
- zhí职zhǎng掌duties, responsibilities
- zhǎng掌kòng控control, master
- zhǎng掌quán权zhě者those in power, ruler
- zhǎng掌wò握hǎo好master, grasp well
- zhǎng掌wò握zài在in the hands of, controlled by
- zhǎng掌duò舵rén人steersman, leader
- zhǎng掌duò舵zhě者leader, helmsman
Idioms with 掌
- cā擦quán拳mó磨zhǎng掌eager to fight or act
- fǔ抚zhǎng掌dà大xiào笑clap hands and laugh heartily
- gū孤zhǎng掌nán难míng鸣It's hard to succeed alone
- gǔ股zhǎng掌zhī之jiān间within one's complete control
- liǎo了rú如zhǐ指zhǎng掌know something like the back of one's hand
- mó摩quán拳cā擦zhǎng掌eager to start a task or fight
- mó磨quán拳cā擦zhǎng掌eager for a fight or action
- wò握quán拳tòu透zhǎng掌clench fists in extreme indignation
- yì易rú如fǎn反zhǎng掌extremely easy to do
- zhǎng掌shàng上guān观wén文extremely easy to do or understand
- zhǎng掌shàng上guān观wén纹extremely easy
- zhǎng掌shàng上zhēn珍zhū珠a cherished child
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Open the tool →Questions about 掌
What does 掌 mean in Chinese?
掌 (zhǎng) means “Palm of the hand” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 掌?
掌 is pronounced zhǎng in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 掌 have?
掌 has 12 strokes.
How do you write 掌?
掌 is written in 12 strokes, starting from the radical 手. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 掌?
The radical of 掌 is 手, and 掌 is a phono-semantic compound.