Definitions

Zhào (noun) ancient Chinese state (476-220 BC)
zhào (verb) to surpass

Etymology

About

The character 赵 (traditional: 趙) is a phono-semantic compound. Its simplified form combines the semantic "walk" or "run" radical 走 (zǒu) with the phonetic component 肖 (xiào); the traditional form uses 兆 (zhào) as the phonetic element. Originally, 赵 meant to move swiftly or hasten. This meaning of rapid movement is now obsolete. The character is predominantly known as a proper noun: it was the name of a major state during the Warring States period and later became one of the most common and historically significant Chinese surnames.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

先生来了。

Zhào xiānsheng lái le.

Mr. Zhao has come.

明是我的好朋友。

Zhào Míng shì wǒ de hǎo péngyou.

Zhao Ming is my good friend.

家住在北京。

Zhào jiā zhù zài Běijīng.

The Zhao family lives in Beijing.

老师教我们数学。

Zhào lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

Teacher Zhao teaches us math.

女士在图书馆工作。

Zhào nǚshì zài túshūguǎn gōngzuò.

Ms. Zhao works in the library.

经理负责这个项目。

Zhào jīnglǐ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.

Manager Zhao is in charge of this project.

叔叔经常帮助我们学习。

Zhào shūshu jīngcháng bāngzhù wǒmen xuéxí.

Uncle Zhao often helps us with our studies.

爷爷的故事很有趣。

Zhào yéye de gùshì hěn yǒuqù.

Grandpa Zhao's stories are very interesting.