租

• Pinyin: zū
• Hanzi breakdown: 租 = 禾 (grain) + 且 (moreover/also, phonetic component)

Meaning

To rent; to lease. To pay for the temporary use of something, or to charge someone for temporary use.

Can mean both 'to rent from' (租房子 = rent an apartment) and 'to rent out' (租给别人 = rent out to others). Context clarifies the direction. Very common in discussions about housing and transport in Chinese cities.

Examples

1. 我在学校附近租了一个房间。 I rented a room near the school.
2. 这辆车是我租的。 This car is one I rented.
3. 他把房子租给了一个学生。 He rented the house out to a student.

Usage Guide

Context: housing, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 我想租一个房间。(I want to rent a room.)
• 这个自行车可以租吗？(Can this bicycle be rented?)

Don't Say

• 我租买了这个房子。(Don't confuse 租 (rent) with 买 (buy) — they are different. 租 is temporary use, 买 is permanent purchase.)

Origin & History

The character 租 originally referred to tax on grain. The meaning extended to 'rent' as a form of payment for use.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal