Usage and Meanings of 注
The character 注 (zhù) primarily means "to focus attention on" or "to concentrate." It is often used when asking someone to pay attention to something important, such as a key point in a text or a detail in a conversation.
Another common use of 注 is in the context of "injecting" or "pouring," as seen in medical or physical actions like 注射 (zhùshè, injection) or 注水 (pouring water). This reflects the literal meaning of "pouring" or "pouring into."
Additionally, 注 can mean "to note down" or "to annotate," which is common in writing or filling out forms, where you 注明 (zhùmíng) information.
Common Collocations
- 注重 (zhùzhòng): to emphasize or pay attention to something important
- 注射 (zhùshè): to inject (medicine)
- 注明 (zhùmíng): to indicate or note clearly
Usage Notes
When using 注 to mean "pay attention," it often appears in imperative or advisory contexts, such as 请注 (please pay attention). When used in medical contexts, 注 is part of compound words related to injections.
Avoid confusing 注 with 专注 (zhuānzhù), which means "to concentrate" but implies a deeper, more sustained focus. 注 alone can be more general or momentary attention.