Definitions

zhà variant of 榨[zhà]; to press; to extract (juice)
zhà to press; to extract (juice); device for extracting juice, oils etc

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "榨" derives from a phono-semantic construction where the wood radical 木 signifies the material historically used for presses, while 乍 serves as a phonetic indicator, collectively pointing to its original association with wooden devices designed for squeezing. Its primary sense of physically pressing to extract liquids, such as oil from seeds or juice from fruits, has remained central, yet over time the character's usage expanded metaphorically to encompass notions of oppressive force or systematic exploitation, reflecting a semantic broadening from concrete tool to abstract concept without altering its core graphical form.

Example Sentences Hide

我要一杯橙汁。

Wǒ yào zhà yī bēi chéngzhī.

I want to squeeze a glass of orange juice.

妈妈用汁机做豆浆。

Māma yòng zhàzhījī zuò dòujiāng.

Mom uses a juicer to make soy milk.

花生油需要专门的机器。

Zhà huāshēng yóu xūyào zhuānmén de jīqì.

Extracting peanut oil requires a special machine.

这家工厂主要取甘蔗制糖。

Zhè jiā gōngchǎng zhǔyào zhàqǔ gānzhè zhì táng.

This factory mainly extracts sugar from sugarcane.

资本家残酷地压工人的血汗。

Zīběnjiā cánkù de yāzhà gōngrén de xuèhàn.

The capitalists cruelly exploited the workers' sweat and blood.

古代油的方法比较原始费时。

Gǔdài zhà yóu de fāngfǎ bǐjiào yuánshǐ fèishí.

The ancient method of extracting oil was relatively primitive and time-consuming.

这种高利贷是在取穷人的最后一分钱。

Zhè zhǒng gāolìdài shì zài zhàqǔ qióngrén de zuìhòu yī fēn qián.

This type of usury is squeezing the last penny from the poor.

现代油技术极大地提高了出油率和品质。

Xiàndài zhà yóu jìshù jídà de tígāole chū yóu lǜ hé pǐnzhì.

Modern oil extraction technology has greatly increased the oil yield and quality.