How to Write 站 (zhàn) — Meaning “To stand; station; stop”

Imagine a person (the left side 立) standing on a small square piece of ground (the right side 占) to claim that spot. The shape of 占 looks like a foot with a dot on top, helping you remember it means 'occupy' or 'stand.'

First write the left part 立: dot, horizontal, left-falling stroke, vertical, then bottom horizontal. Then write the right part 占: vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal fold, and final horizontal. Keep the left side narrower and the right side wider, and align the bottom strokes so they are at the same level.

站 is a left-right structure with 立 on the left and 占 on the right. In contrast, 亲 (qīn, meaning 'parent' or 'dear') has 立 on top and 木 (wood) below, while 竖 (shù, meaning 'vertical') also has 立 on top but a different bottom part. Remember: 站 always has 占 on the right side.

站 is very common in transportation and technology: 车站 (chē zhàn) means 'bus stop' or 'train station,' and 网站 (wǎng zhàn) means 'website.' You will also hear 站起来 (zhàn qǐ lái, 'stand up') in classrooms or when someone is asked to rise, making it a practical daily character.

Common words containing 站 include: 车站 (chē zhàn) — station or stop; 站起来 (zhàn qǐ lái) — To stand up; 网站 (wǎng zhàn) — Website.