肇

zhào

聿 + 𢼄

Definitions

zhào (verb) to begin; to initiate

zhào (noun) beginning; origin

Etymology

About

The character 肇 is a structurally complex formal verb that primarily indicates the commencement of an action. Its modern composition includes 户 (door), 聿 (writing brush or implement), and 殳 (weapon or act of striking). Historically, the original meaning involved striking or correcting something through physical force; this later evolved to mean initiating, founding, or bringing into existence. In formal and legal contexts today, it describes the start of a significant event, the founding of an institution, or causing an incident like a traffic accident.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他因肇事被罚款。

tā yīn zhào shì bèi fá kuǎn.

He was fined for causing an accident.

肇事司机已经自首了。

zhào shì sī jī yǐ jīng zì shǒu le.

The driver who caused the accident has surrendered.

改革肇始于上世纪。

gǎi gé zhào shǐ yú shàng shì jì.

The reform began in the last century.

他酒后驾车肇祸了。

tā jiǔ hòu jià chē zhào huò le.

He caused an accident after drinking and driving.

这起事故肇因于机械故障。

zhè qǐ shì gù zhào yīn yú jī xiè gù zhàng.

This accident was caused by mechanical failure.

该事件肇端于一场误会。

gāi shì jiàn zhào duān yú yī chǎng wù huì.

This incident originated from a misunderstanding.

这场纠纷肇始于小小的分歧。

zhè chǎng jiū fēn zhào shǐ yú xiǎo xiǎo de fēn qí.

This dispute began with a small disagreement.

此次冲突肇因于长期积累的矛盾。

cǐ cì chōng tū zhào yīn yú cháng qī jī lěi de máo dùn.

This conflict was caused by long-term accumulated contradictions.

Related Characters

Component: 聿

Component: 𢼄

肇