載
zài, zǎi
Description
这个字有两个读音。读 zài 的时候，意思是用车、船等运东西，或者把东西放在上面。
The character "載" has two pronunciations. When read as zài, it means to transport things by car, boat, etc., or to place something on top.
读 zǎi 的时候，常常表示年，比如“一年半载”，也有记录、写下来的意思。
When read as zǎi, it often refers to years, like in "一年半載" (one and a half years), and also means to record or write down.
Meanings
载zài
to carry (by vehicle); to transport
这辆车可以载五个人。
This car can carry five people.
载zài
to load; to be filled with
船上载满了货物。
The ship is loaded with cargo.
载zǎi
to record; to write down; year
报纸上载了这个消息。
The newspaper carried the news.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
originally meant to load onto a vehicle; the 'record/year' sense read zǎi developed later.
- Nuance
载 (zài) 'carry/transport' is more formal than everyday 拉 or 带.
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