驻 zhù stable
stable; station; garrison; to be stationed
How to remember 驻: 马 horse + 主 lord = stable. After the medieval fair, the tired horse follows the actor who played the lord back to its warm stable.
Component breakdown
驻 = 马 horse + 主 lord
- 马 horse
- 主 lord
After the medieval fair, the tired horse follows the actor who played the lord back to its warm stable.
How it is used
- To be stationed / posted somewhere - 驻扎 (zhùzhā) (of troops) to be garrisoned, 驻华大使 (zhùHuá dàshǐ) ambassador to China, 常驻记者 (chángzhù jìzhě) resident correspondent.
- Key nuance: 驻 means stationed there long-term on official assignment, unlike 住 (zhù, simply to live/reside). 驻足 (zhùzú) = to pause one's steps, stop and look.
- Formal register; very common in military, diplomatic, and business ('驻上海办事处', Shanghai office) contexts.