What does 住 mean in Chinese?

住 (zhù) means "to live; to dwell; to stay; to reside; to stop; (suffix indicating firmness, steadiness, or coming to a halt)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 住?

住 is pronounced "zhù" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 住?

住 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 住?

Common words with 住 include 住房 (housing), 不住 (repeatedly), 住宅 (residence), 住区 (living area), 住友 (Sumitomo, Japanese company).

How do you write 住?

住 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 亻. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

住 (zhù), to live

住

zhù

to live; to dwell; to stay; to reside

HSK 1verb7 strokes

Character Breakdown

住 = 亻 + 主

A person who is master of the house — to live

Radical: 亻 (no. 9)Strokes: 7

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to live
to dwell
to stay
to reside
to stop
(suffix indicating firmness, steadiness, or coming to a halt)

Example Sentences

我住在北京。

Wǒ zhù zài Běijīng

I live in Beijing

Words Containing 住

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
住房	zhù fáng	housing	HSK 5
不住	bù zhù	repeatedly
住宅	zhù zhái	residence	HSK 6
住区	zhù qū	living area
住友

Related Words

居住(jū zhù)· to reside

Grammar Notes

Duration ComplementHSK 2

Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration (+ Object)

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

住: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 住 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.