著 meaning and stroke order
To show, to prove, to make known
How to write 著, stroke by stroke
11 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 著
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to make known
- to show
- to prove
- to write
- book
- outstanding
- used in 執著|执著[zhi2 zhuo2]
How 著 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Plant.
艹 gives the meaning and 者 hints at the sound.
Radical: 艹 (grass), shared by 421 characters on this site.
How to remember 著
著 is grass 艹 on top of 者 (zhě), which gives the sound. Picture a plant pushing up through the ground so everyone can see it, which links to the idea of making something known or standing out.
In modern Mandarin 著 is read zhù in most words and means famous, notable, or written work, as in 著名 (zhùmíng) and 名著 (míngzhù). It appears mostly in compound words rather than alone. Example: 他是一位著名的作家。(Tā shì yí wèi zhùmíng de zuòjiā.) He is a famous writer.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 著 with 着 (zhe), the aspect particle in 看着 (kànzhe). In Mainland simplified Chinese, write 着 for the particle and 著 for words like 著名 and 著作.
Common words with 著
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 著名 | zhùmíng | famous; noted | HSK 4 |
| 著作 | zhùzuò | to write; literary work | HSK 4 |
| 显著 | xiǎnzhù | outstanding; notable | HSK 4 |
| 名著 | míngzhù | masterpiece | HSK 7-9 |
| 专著 | zhuānzhù | monograph; specialized text | HSK 7-9 |
| 臭名昭著 | chòumíngzhāozhù | notorious; infamous | |
| 土著 | tǔzhù | aboriginal | |
| 原著 | yuánzhù | original work (not translation or abridged) | |
| 著称 | zhùchēng | to be widely known as |
著 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 著
Learning 著 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 著
How many strokes are in 著?
著 is written with 11 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 著 mean?
著 (zhe) means to show, to prove, to make known. A common word with it is 著名 (zhùmíng), meaning "famous; noted".
How do you pronounce 著?
著 is pronounced zhe, in the neutral tone (short and light).
What is the radical of 著?
The radical of 著 is 艹, which carries the idea of "grass". Dictionaries list 著 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 著?
著 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 着, used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 著 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 著 is part of the HSK 4 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
Is 著 pronounced zhù or zhuó?
Use zhù for almost every common word, such as 著名, 著作, 显著, and 土著. The reading zhuó appears in the word 执著 (zhízhuó), meaning persistent or stubbornly attached.
What is the difference between 著作 and 名著?
著作 (zhùzuò) is any written work, or the act of writing one. 名著 (míngzhù) is specifically a famous work or masterpiece, like a classic novel.