Definitions

zào (verb) to make; to build; to manufacture
zào (verb) to create; to invent
zào (verb) to fabricate; to make up (a story)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 造 structurally integrates the movement radical 辶 with the component 告, which historically provided phonetic clues and contributed a sense of conveying or declaring, leading to an original semantic focus on the act of arriving at a place or achieving a particular state. This foundational meaning of reaching or accomplishing gradually expanded to encompass the concrete actions of making or constructing physical objects, such as vessels or buildings, reflecting a shift from mere progression to purposeful creation. Over time, its application further diversified to include abstract forms of fabrication, like formulating doctrines or inventing narratives, thereby extending its usage from tangible production to intellectual and artistic endeavors, all while retaining the underlying notion of bringing something into being through directed effort.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
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Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
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Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
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Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
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Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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 Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

老师让我们句。

Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen zàojù.

The teacher asked us to make sentences.

这家工厂制汽车。

Zhè jiā gōngchǎng zhìzào qìchē.

This factory manufactures cars.

他们建了一座新桥。

Tāmen jiànzào le yī zuò xīn qiáo.

They built a new bridge.

他创了一个新纪录。

Tā chuàngzào le yī gè xīn jìlù.

He set a new record.

我们计划访那位教授。

Wǒmen jìhuà zàofǎng nà wèi jiàoshòu.

We plan to visit that professor.

这部电影塑了英雄形象。

Zhè bù diànyǐng sùzào le yīngxióng xíngxiàng.

This movie shaped the image of a hero.

假行为是不可接受的。

Zàojiǎ xíngwéi shì bù kě jiēshòu de.

Faking behavior is unacceptable.

这项发明福了全人类。

Zhè xiàng fāmíng zàofú le quán rénlèi.

This invention benefited all mankind.