Pinyin initial: "z"
The Pinyin initial "z" is used in the first half of Pinyin syllables. In MandarinBanana's mnemonic system, "z" belongs to the group of Pinyin initials which are represented in mnemonics by men. You can visit the Pinyin index to see all Pinyin syllables from this mnemonic group, or to see all Pinyin syllables "z" can appear in.
Mnemonics for z
Z is for Zorro.
Characters with z
self / oneself / from / since / naturally / surely
to increase / to expand / to add
增
=
土
+
曾
:
In front of the engine ((e)ng1) some fireflies (曾) are busy increasing (增) the height of the hill on which engine rests by piling up dirt (土) so that it counts as a mountain. Zorro (z) came to interview them but since they are so tiny they need to use an amplifier (增) so that Zorro can hear what they are saying.
to exist; to be alive / (of sb or sth) to be (located) at / (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress)
to walk / to go / to run / to move (of vehicle) / to visit / to leave / to go away / to die (euph.) / from / through / away (in compound verbs, such as 撤走[che4 zou3]) / to change (shape, form, meaning)
走
=
龰
+
土
:
Mnemonic symbol: a Nordic walking pole. Zorro (z) is fighting Neanderthal Man (bottom of 龰) in the outhouse's living room (ou3). Neanderthal Man uses his pennant (top of 龰), and Zorro uses a Nordic walking pole (走). Zorro overcomes Neanderthal Man by using a dirty trick: he throws some dirt (土) at Neanderthal Mans face, who is blinded and hurts his foot with his pennant (the pennant pierces his foot: 龰). Just at this moment Zorro uses the opportunity to sedate Neanderthal Man and rams a syringe (龰) into his shoulder.