How to Write 藻 (zǎo) — Meaning “algae / aquatic plant”

Imagine a grass plant (艹) that loves to take a bath (澡) because it grows in water. This picture helps you remember both the grass radical and the water-related part inside the character.

Yes, the right side of the lower part is 喿, which has three 口 stacked in a triangle above a 木. Make sure not to forget the three dots of the water radical 氵 on the left, and keep the 木's horizontal stroke long enough to support the 口s above.

藻 contains the water radical 氵, so it refers to aquatic plants like algae. 薰 has the fire radical 灬 (hidden in 熏) and means fragrance or to fumigate, while 䕭 is a very rare character that appears in old plant names. Visually, 藻 has extra water dots, and 薰 has a different bottom part (熏).

You will see 藻 in scientific terms like 藻类 (algae) and in food words like 海藻 (seaweed), which is eaten in soups and sushi. It is also used in environmental contexts when talking about pond or ocean plants.

Common words containing 藻 include: 海藻 (hǎi zǎo) — Seaweed / Algae; 藻类 (zǎo lèi) — algae; 水藻 (shuǐ zǎo) — Algae.