What does 族 mean in Chinese?

族 (zú) means "race; nationality; ethnicity; clan; by extension, social group (e.g. office workers 上班族)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 族?

族 is pronounced "zú" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 2.

What HSK level is 族?

族 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.

What words contain the character 族?

Common words with 族 include 中华民族 (the Chinese people), 上班族 (office workers (as social group)), 一族 (social group), 三族 ((old) three generations (father, self and sons)), 主族 (main group).

How do you write 族?

You can practice writing 族 using our stroke order tool.

族 (zú), race

族

zú

race; nationality; ethnicity; clan

HSK 5 New to HSK

Character Breakdown

Radical: 方 (no. 70)

View stroke order →

Definitions

race
nationality
ethnicity
clan
by extension, social group (e.g. office workers 上班族)

Example Sentences

中国有五十六个民族。

Zhōngguó yǒu wǔshíliù gè mínzú

China has fifty-six ethnic groups

Words Containing 族

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
中华民族	Zhōng huá mín zú	the Chinese people	HSK 5
上班族	shàng bān zú	office workers (as social group)
一族	yī zú	social group
三族	sān zú	(old) three generations (father, self and sons)
主族	zhǔ zú

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一族(yī zú)· social group

→

主车群(zhǔ chē qún)· peloton (main group of riders in a bicycle race)

→

族类(zú lèi)· clan

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: Not listed
HSK Lord study list: HSK 6 list

族: New to the HSK lists at HSK 5. 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 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 族 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 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

族