Definition
中 (zhòng) means 'to hit a target' or 'to be affected by' — it's used for hitting a bullseye, winning a lottery, or suffering from something (e.g., 中毒 'to be poisoned'). Unlike 打 (dǎ), which is a general verb for 'to hit' (with a hand or object), 中 focuses on the result of striking a precise target. 撞击 (zhuàng jī) is a stronger, more forceful 'to ram or collide', while 夺魁 (duó kuí) means 'to win first place' in a competition, not a lottery.
verb
to hit (a target)to striketo win (a prize in a lottery or draw)to be affected byto suffer (in 中毒, 中风, etc.)
Easily confused
- 中zhōnglook-alikemiddle, center
- 种zhǒngsound-alike(classifier) for types, kinds, sorts
- 种zhòngsound-aliketo plant, to grow
- 重zhòngsound-alike(adjective) heavy; serious
- 钟zhōngsound-alike(noun) handleless cup; goblet
- 肿zhǒngsound-aliketo swell; to be swollen
Examples
- 中。Tā yí jiàn jiù zhòng le bǎxīn.He hit the bullseye with one arrow.
- 中？Nǐ mǎi de cǎipiào zhòng le ma?Did you win on the lottery ticket you bought?
- 。Xiàtiān bú zhùyì róngyì zhòng shǔ.If you're not careful in summer, you're prone to heatstroke.
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