(zǎi) — to record, to write down; to publish (in a newspaper, magazine, etc.)

Definition

Read zǎi in this row: a formal verb meaning 'to record / publish' (as in 记载, 刊载, 转载), used with writing and media. Don't confuse with zài (carry, transport).

verb
to recordto write downto publish (in a newspaper, magazine, etc.)

Examples

  • Zhè běn shū jì zǎi le tā nián qīng shí de jīng lì.
    This book records his experiences when he was young.
  • Nà jiā bào zhǐ kān zǎi le yì piān zhòng yào bào dào.
    That newspaper published an important report.
  • Zhè piān wén zhāng bèi duō jiā méi tǐ zhuǎn zǎi.
    This article was reprinted by multiple media outlets.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 載; 载 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
chariot
Sound part声符shēngfú
𢦏
𢦏𢦏zài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 載 has 車, a chariot, and 𢦏 gives the sound; 载 is its simplified form.

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