Definitions

zǎo (noun) jujube; date (fruit)

Etymology

Simplified form of . Pictograph of a date tree.

About

The simplified character 枣 (zǎo) derives from the traditional form 棗, which vertically stacks two identical 朿 (cì) components. This structure visually represents the jujube tree’s thorny branches, as 朿 itself depicts a branch with sharp thorns. During simplification, this stacked form was abstracted based on historical cursive script to reduce strokes and ease writing. The character’s meaning is specific to the jujube fruit, or Chinese date, a sweet, red edible fruit valued in cuisine and traditional medicine.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃红

Wǒ xǐhuān chī hóngzǎo.

I like to eat red dates.

子是一种很健康的水果。

Zǎozi shì yī zhǒng hěn jiànkāng de shuǐguǒ.

Dates are a very healthy fruit.

妈妈用做了美味的蛋糕。

Māma yòng zǎo zuò le měiwèi de dàngāo.

Mom made a delicious cake with dates.

奶奶的院子里有一棵树。

Nǎinai de yuànzi lǐ yǒu yī kē zǎoshù.

There is a jujube tree in grandma's yard.

这包新疆大非常香甜。

Zhè bāo Xīnjiāng dàzǎo fēicháng xiāngtián.

This bag of Xinjiang jujubes is very fragrant and sweet.

树的叶子在秋天变黄。

Zǎoshù de yèzi zài qiūtiān biàn huáng.

The leaves of the jujube tree turn yellow in autumn.

采摘园里可以亲自摘子。

Cǎizhāi yuán lǐ kěyǐ qīnzì zhāi zǎozi.

You can pick dates yourself at the picking garden.

这棵老树每年结的都特别甜。

Zhè kē lǎo zǎoshù měi nián jiē de zǎo dōu tèbié tián.

The dates produced by this old jujube tree every year are especially sweet.