字 zì
“letter; symbol; character”
nounHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1Measure word 个
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
字 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 296: 字 zì — Level 1; official annotation 1 (名). PDF page 87
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 字
字 means a written character or letter, especially a Chinese character. It is a countable noun, so you say 一个字 (one character) or 这个字 (this character). It is commonly used with verbs like 写 (write), 认 (recognize) and 学 (learn).
例句Example sentences
- 这个字怎么写？zhè ge zì zěn me xiě?How do you write this character?
- 我认识很多汉字。wǒ rèn shi hěn duō hàn zì.I know many Chinese characters.
- 请写你的名字，一个字一个字地写。qǐng xiě nǐ de míng zi, yí gè zì yí gè zì de xiě.Please write your name, one character at a time.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我写了三个字汉字。
✓我写了三个汉字。
字 is already the noun for a character, so it cannot be stacked before 汉字 as a measure word.
易混词Easily confused
字vs词
字 is a single written character, while 词 is a word made of one or more characters; learners often say 字 when they mean a whole word.