张

• Pinyin: zhāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 张 = 弓 (bow) + 长 (long, phonetic), originally meaning to draw a bow; extended to mean spread out or a measure word for flat things

Meaning

Measure word for flat objects; to open or spread. Used to count tables, papers, photos, beds, and other flat or spread-out things.

As a measure word, 张 is used for flat, thin, or spread-out objects: paper, tickets, photos, maps, tables, beds, and mouths or faces. As a verb, it means to open, stretch, or spread, as in 张嘴 (open your mouth) or 张开 (spread open). Also one of the most common Chinese surnames.

Examples

1. 请给我一张纸，我要写东西。 Please give me a piece of paper. I need to write something.
2. 墙上挂着一张全家福照片。 A family photo is hanging on the wall.
3. 他紧张得张不开嘴。 He was so nervous he couldn't open his mouth.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, shopping, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我买了两张电影票。(I bought two movie tickets.)
• 小孩子张开嘴让医生看看。(The child opened his mouth for the doctor to check.)

Don't Say

• 一张书放在桌子上。(Don't use 张 for books — use 本. 张 is for flat, sheet-like objects, not bound volumes)

Origin & History

Compound of 弓 (bow) and 长 (long, phonetic). The original meaning was to draw a bow, which involves stretching and opening. The measure word usage developed from the concept of something spread flat.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal