Definitions

zuò (noun) seat; base; platform
zuò (classifier) classifier for buildings, mountains and similar large immovable objects

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 广 represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "座" finds its origin in the verb "坐" denoting the action of sitting, combined with the radical "广" which suggests a building or covered space, thereby constructing the concept of a place designated for sitting, such as a seat or throne. Its formation as a phono-semantic compound relies on "坐" for its pronunciation while "广" provides the semantic context of a location or structure. The meaning, originally centered on a physical seat, gradually extended to include any supporting base or stand for objects, and further evolved to function as a classifier for substantial, often immovable entities like mountains, bridges, or astronomical constellations, marking a transition from concrete referents to more abstract and quantitative applications.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的位在那边。

Wǒ de zuòwèi zài nàbiān.

My seat is over there.

图书馆很安静。

Zhè zuò túshūguǎn hěn ānjìng.

This library is very quiet.

电影院里有五百个位。

Diànyǐngyuàn li yǒu wǔbǎi gè zuòwèi.

There are five hundred seats in the movie theater.

请按照号码对号入

Qǐng ànzhào hàomǎ duìhào rùzuò.

Please take your seat according to the number on your ticket.

山看起来非常雄伟。

Nà zuò shān kàn qǐlái fēicháng xióngwěi.

That mountain looks extremely majestic.

城市的风景给我留下了深刻的印象。

Zhè zuò chéngshì de fēngjǐng gěi wǒ liú xiàle shēnkè de yìnxiàng.

The scenery of this city left a deep impression on me.

我们在会议室为每位嘉宾预留了位。

Wǒmen zài huìyìshì wèi měi wèi jiābīn yùliúle zuòwèi.

We have reserved seats for every guest in the conference room.

他靠窗的位正好能看到远处的那古塔。

Tā kào chuāng de zuòwèi zhènghǎo néng kàndào yuǎnchù de nà zuò gǔ tǎ.

His window seat offered a perfect view of the ancient pagoda in the distance.