舟 (zhōu) - boat & vessel

舟Tone 1

zhōu ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 舟

志

舟 · zhōu

boat;

vessel;

ship;

a pictographic character resembling a small boat.

boatvesselship

Usage highlights

BoatDragon boatFishing boatLight boatSmall boatBoat trip

Synonyms

  • 船— ship; boat (more common modern term)
  • 艇— small boat; craft
  • 舫— pleasure boat; barge

Antonyms

  • 陆— land (opposite of water travel)
  • 山— mountain (stationary vs. mobile)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We took a boat across the river (乘舟过河).
  • The dragon boat festival is popular (龙舟节).
  • He works on a fishing boat (渔舟).
  • A light boat crosses ten thousand mountains (轻舟已过万重山).

Collocations

  • Boat(舟船)
  • Dragon boat(龙舟)
  • Fishing boat(渔舟)
  • Light boat(轻舟)
  • Small boat(小舟)
  • Boat trip(舟行)

Idioms

  • In the same boat(同舟共济)
  • Sailing against the current(逆水行舟)
  • Burning one's boats(破釜沉舟)
  • A light boat passes through mountains(轻舟已过万重山)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the oldest Chinese characters, appearing in oracle bone script as a pictograph of a boat.
  • Symbolizes journey, travel, and navigation in Chinese culture and poetry.
  • Represents cooperation and shared destiny in idioms like '同舟共济' (in the same boat).

FAQ