Definition
罩 (zhào) means 'to cover' by placing something over and around an object, like a lampshade covering a bulb or a fish trap enclosing fish — it emphasizes envelopment from above. This contrasts with 盖 (gài), which means putting a lid on the top (like closing a pot), and 遮 (zhē), which focuses on blocking or obscuring something (like shielding light). As a noun, 罩 refers to any cover, shade, or hood that fits over something.
verb
to coverto envelop
noun
covershadehood (e.g., lampshade, engine hood)fish trap (basket)
Easily confused
- 掉diàolook-aliketo fall; to drop
- 着zháosound-alike(verb complement) to succeed in doing, to come into a state (in 睡着, 找着, 着火)
- 找zhǎosound-aliketo look for, to seek
- 照zhàosound-aliketo shine on, to illuminate
- 招zhāosound-aliketo recruit, to hire
Examples
- ，罩。Xià yǔ le, kuài bǎ zìxíngchē zhào hǎo.It's raining, quickly cover the bike well.
- 。Zhège dēng zhào shì bōli zuò de.This lampshade is made of glass.
- 罩。Tā yòng zhú zhào bǔ yú.He uses a bamboo fish trap to catch fish.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.