Focus in Chinese
The Chinese word for focus is 专注 (zhuān zhù). Concentration poured into one thing. In traditional characters it is written 專注.
zhuān zhù
Focus
What 专注 means.
专 means single and focused and 注 is to pour, so 专注 pictures pouring all your attention into one thing. It is the everyday word for focus and concentration.
- 专
- single-minded, special
- 注
- to pour, to concentrate
Simplified and traditional
专注
專注
Both are correct and mean the same. Traditional 專注 keeps the older, fuller shape that calligraphy grew up with; simplified 专注 is what most Chinese readers use today. Our seal and clerical styles write it in the traditional form.
About focus in Chinese
How do you write focus in Chinese?
Focus is 专注 in Chinese, pronounced zhuān zhù. Focus 专 means “single-minded, special”, 注 means “to pour, to concentrate”.
How do you pronounce 专注?
Say zhuān (first tone, high and level), zhù (fourth tone, falling). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 专注 different in traditional Chinese?
Yes. The traditional form is 專注, used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and classical calligraphy; 专注 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore. Both are correct.
Is 专注 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. Keep the characters in their order, top to bottom or left to right, and never mirrored. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.