寨
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: stronghold
💡 Imagine a fortified camp under a roof (宀) with 14 watchtowers (strokes).
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
寨 (zhài) means 'stronghold' or 'stockade,' referring to a defensive settlement often found in mountainous areas. Historically, it denoted fortified villages built by ethnic minorities or bandits, akin to a medieval European fortress or a frontier fort in the American West. In modern usage, it appears in place names and compounds like 山寨 (shānzhài, 'mountain stronghold' or 'knockoff product'). The radical 宀 (roof) emphasizes shelter.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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