創 meaning and stroke order
To establish, to create; cut, wound, trauma
How to write 創, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
Meaning of 創
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (bound form) a wound; to wound
- to initiate; to create; to achieve (sth for the first time)
How 創 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Knife.
刂 gives the meaning and 倉 hints at the sound.
Radical: 刂 (knife), shared by 71 characters on this site.
How to remember 創
The knife radical 刂 on the right gives the meaning: you cut something new into shape, or you get cut and have a wound. The left part 倉 (cāng, granary) gives a similar sound, so picture carving out a brand new granary with a knife.
In everyday Chinese 創 (chuàng) mostly appears in words about starting or making something new, like 创造 (chuàngzào), 创新 (chuàngxīn) and 创业 (chuàngyè). Example: 他想自己创业。(Tā xiǎng zìjǐ chuàngyè.) He wants to start his own business. The wound sense is read chuāng and is mostly limited to set words such as 创伤 (chuāngshāng, trauma).
Common mistake: Learners often read every 創 as chuàng, but in the wound sense it is first tone chuāng, as in 创伤 (chuāngshāng). Also do not confuse it with 窗 (chuāng, window) or 闯 (chuǎng, to rush in), which sound close but have different meanings and shapes.
Common words with 創
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 創造 | chuàngzào | to create; to bring about | HSK 3 |
| 創作 | chuàngzuò | to create; to produce; to write; a creative work; a creation | HSK 3 |
| 創新 | chuàngxīn | to bring forth new ideas; to blaze new trails; innovation | HSK 3 |
| 創業 | chuàngyè | to begin an undertaking; to start an enterprise; entrepreneurship | HSK 3 |
| 創立 | chuànglì | to establish; to set up; to found | HSK 5 |
| 創意 | chuàngyì | creative; creativity | HSK 6 |
| 創建 | chuàngjiàn | to found; to establish | HSK 6 |
| 開創 | kāichuàng | to initiate; to start; to found | HSK 6 |
| 創辦 | chuàngbàn | to establish; to found | HSK 6 |
| 原創 | yuánchuàng | to create (an original work); (of a work) original | HSK 7-9 |
| 創傷 | chuāngshāng | wound; injury; trauma | HSK 7-9 |
| 創始人 | chuàngshǐrén | creator; founder; initiator | HSK 7-9 |
| 重創 | zhòngchuāng | to inflict heavy losses; to inflict serious damage | HSK 7-9 |
| 首創 | shǒuchuàng | to originate; to pioneer; to invent | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 創
How many strokes are in 創?
創 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 創 mean?
創 (chuàng) means to establish, to create; cut, wound, trauma. A common word with it is 创造 (chuàngzào), meaning "to create; to bring about".
How do you pronounce 創?
創 is pronounced chuàng, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 創?
The radical of 創 is 刂, which carries the idea of "knife". Dictionaries list 創 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 創?
創 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 创, used in mainland China and Singapore.
What is the difference between 创造 and 创作?
创造 (chuàngzào) is general and means to create or bring about anything, such as a record, a miracle or a new product. 创作 (chuàngzuò) is used for artistic work like writing, music or painting, and can also be a noun meaning a creative work.
Why does 创意 sometimes appear in marketing and design?
创意 (chuàngyì) means a creative idea or creativity, so it is common in advertising, design and media. You might hear 这个广告很有创意 (zhège guǎnggào hěn yǒu chuàngyì), meaning this ad is very creative.