zhǎo: 找 - To look for, To find, To seek; To give change

• Keywords: 找, zhǎo, zhao, Chinese for find, Chinese for look for, how to use zhao in Chinese, zhao meaning, zhao character, give change in Chinese, zhaodao, 找到, looking for someone in Chinese.
• Summary: The Chinese verb `找` (zhǎo) is a fundamental word for beginners, primarily meaning “to look for,” “to seek,” or “to find.” It's incredibly versatile, used for searching for physical objects, trying to contact people, or seeking abstract things like a job or trouble. Crucially, `找` also means “to give change” in financial transactions, making it one of the most practical words you'll learn for daily life in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǎo
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: To look for, to seek; to give back change (money).
• In a Nutshell: `找` is the action verb for searching. Think of it as the entire process of trying to locate something or someone. Whether you're rummaging through your bag for your keys or calling a friend, you are “找”-ing. It also has a second, completely different but equally common meaning: giving back money after a purchase. The context almost always makes the meaning clear.

• 找: The character `找` is a combination of two components that paint a simple picture.
• 扌(shǒu): This is the “hand” radical. It appears in many characters related to actions you do with your hands, like `打` (dǎ - to hit) or `拉` (lā - to pull).
• 戈 (gē): This character represents an ancient Chinese weapon, a “dagger-axe” or “halberd.”
• Combined Meaning: You can imagine the character as using your hand (扌) to search for a lost weapon (戈). More broadly, it simply represents the physical action of using one's hands to search or seek something out.

While `找` is a basic action verb, its usage reveals some key aspects of daily Chinese interaction. The phrase `你找谁？` (Nǐ zhǎo shéi? - Who are you looking for?) is the standard way to greet an unfamiliar person entering an office or home. It's the direct equivalent of the English “Can I help you?” or “Who are you here to see?” This highlights its function as a social gateway. Furthermore, `找` is not just about finding lost items. It's about initiating contact and seeking resources. When someone says `我找你` (Wǒ zhǎo nǐ), it can mean “I'm looking for you” (because I can't see you), but it more often means “I need to talk to you” or “I've come to see you.” Compared to the English “look for” vs. “find,” Chinese uses `找` for the action and adds a complement, `到 (dào)`, to show the result. `找` is the hunt; `找到` (zhǎodào) is the successful capture. This distinction between process and result is a core feature of Chinese grammar and reflects a focus on the outcome of an action.

`找` is used constantly in everyday conversation, from the trivial to the significant.

This is the most direct meaning. It's informal and used for any kind of search.

• `我在找我的钱包。` (Wǒ zài zhǎo wǒ de qiánbāo.) - I'm looking for my wallet.
• `你好，我找一下王经理。` (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ zhǎo yīxià Wáng jīnglǐ.) - Hello, I'm here to see Manager Wang. (A common phrase at a reception desk).

In any commercial transaction, `找` is the verb for giving change.

• Cashier: `一共八十五块。` (Yīgòng bāshíwǔ kuài.) - That's 85 kuài in total.
• You: (Handing over a 100 RMB note) `给你一百。` (Gěi nǐ yībǎi.) - Here's 100.
• Cashier: `好的，找你十五块。` (Hǎo de, zhǎo nǐ shíwǔ kuài.) - Okay, here's 15 kuài in change for you.

`找` can be combined with other nouns to mean “seeking” something abstract.

• `找工作` (zhǎo gōngzuò): To look for a job.
• `找麻烦` (zhǎo máfan): To look for trouble; to make trouble.
• `找借口` (zhǎo jièkǒu): To look for an excuse.
• `找对象` (zhǎo duìxiàng): To look for a romantic partner.

• Example 1:
• 你在找什么？
• Pinyin: Nǐ zài zhǎo shénme?
• English: What are you looking for?
• Analysis: A simple, essential question. The `在 (zài)` indicates the action is currently in progress.
• Example 2:
• 服务员，找你二十块三毛。
• Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, zhǎo nǐ èrshí kuài sān máo.
• English: Waiter, here is 20.30 kuài in change for you.
• Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the “giving change” meaning. It's what you would hear from a cashier or waiter after paying.
• Example 3:
• 我昨天找了你一天，你手机怎么关机了？
• Pinyin: Wǒ zuótiān zhǎo le nǐ yītiān, nǐ shǒujī zěnme guānjī le?
• English: I was trying to find/contact you all day yesterday, why was your phone off?
• Analysis: Here, `找` means “trying to get in touch with” someone, not just physically looking for them.
• Example 4:
• 他毕业以后，一直在找工作。
• Pinyin: Tā bìyè yǐhòu, yīzhí zài zhǎo gōngzuò.
• English: After he graduated, he has been constantly looking for a job.
• Analysis: A perfect example of the figurative use of `找` for seeking an opportunity.
• Example 5:
• 你别给我找麻烦！
• Pinyin: Nǐ bié gěi wǒ zhǎo máfan!
• English: Don't cause trouble for me! / Stop looking for trouble!
• Analysis: A very common and slightly aggressive phrase. `找麻烦` is a set phrase meaning “to stir up trouble.”
• Example 6:
• 我找了半天，终于找到了我的钥匙。
• Pinyin: Wǒ zhǎo le bàntiān, zhōngyú zhǎodào le wǒ de yàoshi.
• English: I looked for a long time, and finally found my keys.
• Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the difference between `找` (the action of looking) and `找到` (the successful result). `半天 (bàntiān)`, literally “half a day,” is a common expression for “a long time.”
• Example 7:
• 对不起，我没有零钱，不用找了。
• Pinyin: Duìbùqǐ, wǒ méiyǒu língqián, bùyòng zhǎo le.
• English: Sorry, I don't have exact change, you can keep the change. (Literally: “no need to give change.”)
• Analysis: A very useful phrase when paying a taxi driver or at a small shop if the amount is small.
• Example 8:
• 你去找个地方坐一下，我马上就来。
• Pinyin: Nǐ qù zhǎo ge dìfang zuò yīxià, wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.
• English: Go find a place to sit for a bit, I'll be right there.
• Analysis: Shows how `找` is used for locating a place. `找个地方` (zhǎo ge dìfang) is a very natural and common collocation.
• Example 9:
• 他总是能找到最好的借口。
• Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì néng zhǎodào zuì hǎo de jièkǒu.
• English: He can always find the best excuses.
• Analysis: This uses the resultative form `找到` (zhǎodào) with the abstract noun `借口` (jièkǒu - excuse), emphasizing his success in coming up with them.
• Example 10:
• A: 喂？你好。 (Wèi? Nǐ hǎo.) - Hello?
• B: 喂，你好，请问李老师在吗？我找她。 (Wèi, nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn Lǐ lǎoshī zài ma? Wǒ zhǎo tā.) - Hello, may I ask if Teacher Li is there? I'm looking for her.
• Analysis: A standard telephone conversation opener. `我找她` is the reason for the call, meaning “I'd like to speak to her.”

• `找` (zhǎo) vs. `找到` (zhǎodào): This is the most critical distinction for learners.
• `找` (zhǎo) is the process of looking. It doesn't guarantee success.
• `找到` (zhǎodào) is the result of a successful search. `到` (dào) is a result complement indicating the action was achieved.
• Correct: `我找了很久，但是没找到。` (Wǒ zhǎo le hěnjiǔ, dànshì méi zhǎodào.) - “I looked for a long time, but I didn't find it.”
• Incorrect: `我找到了很久。` This is wrong because you can't “find” something for a long time; you “look for” it for a long time.
• `找` (zhǎo) vs. `看` (kàn): Don't confuse “looking for” with “looking at.”
• `看` (kàn) means to look at, to see, to watch. It's about directing your eyes at something.
• `找` (zhǎo) is about actively searching for something that is currently missing or not in sight.
• Example: `我在看书` (Wǒ zài kàn shū) - “I am reading a book.” vs. `我在找书` (Wǒ zài zhǎo shū) - “I am looking for a book.”
• Translating “find”: Be careful not to translate the English “find” as `找` in all cases. If you mean “I discovered” or “I feel that,” you should use `发现` (fāxiàn) or `觉得` (juéde).
• “I find this movie very interesting.” → `我觉得这个电影很有意思。` (Wǒ juéde zhège diànyǐng hěn yǒu yìsi.)
• “I found a wallet on the street.” → `我在街上发现了一个钱包。` (Wǒ zài jiēshang fāxiàn le yí ge qiánbāo.) This implies discovering it, not actively searching for it.

• 找到 (zhǎodào) - The resultative form of `找`. It means “to have successfully found” something.
• 寻找 (xúnzhǎo) - A more formal, literary, or written term for “to seek” or “to look for.” You'd see it in books or hear it in speeches, but less in casual chat.
• 发现 (fāxiàn) - To discover or to find out. This implies stumbling upon something or realizing a fact, rather than actively searching for it.
• 查 (chá) - To check, to investigate, to look up (information). It's a more specific search, like `查字典` (chá zìdiǎn - to look up in a dictionary).
• 麻烦 (máfan) - Trouble, troublesome. Frequently paired with `找` to mean “to look for trouble” (`找麻烦`).
• 工作 (gōngzuò) - Work, job. The object in the common phrase `找工作` (to look for a job).
• 借口 (jièkǒu) - An excuse. Used in the phrase `找借口` (to find an excuse).
• 搜 (sōu) / 搜索 (sōusuǒ) - To search, especially online or in a database (e.g., `搜索` is the button on a search engine). It implies a more systematic search.