扎 zhā to bind
to bind; to wrap; to pierce; to prick
How to remember 扎: 扌 hand + 乚 hook = to bind. With one hand Grandpa holds the tiny hook steady and uses his teeth and some thread to bind it onto the line.
Component breakdown
扎 = 扌 hand + 乚 hook
- 扌 hand
- 乚 hook
With one hand Grandpa holds the tiny hook steady and uses his teeth and some thread to bind it onto the line.
How it is used
- Read zhā = to prick/pierce or to plunge in - 扎针 (zhā zhēn) give an injection, 扎根 (zhāgēn) take root, 扎进水里 (zhā jìn shuǐ li) dive into water.
- 扎实 (zhāshi) = solid/sound (skills, foundation). Read zā = to tie/bind: 包扎 (bāozā) bandage, 扎辫子 (zā biànzi) tie a braid.
- Read zhá in 挣扎 (zhēngzhá) = to struggle. Three readings - mind them.