Chinese Character Tattoo · Single-character

卓 (zhuó) — Outstanding

Single-character Chinese tattoo · meaning “outstanding” · elegant & minimalist friendly

Meaning & Nuance

卓 (zhuó) means outstanding, eminent, and towering above the ordinary. It describes a person or achievement that stands high and apart — excellence recognized by others. In names and praise it carries a tone of dignified distinction rather than flashy success.

Pronunciation & Form

Pinyin: zhuó — a second-tone syllable, rising smoothly like an upward glide. The character's shape suggests something standing tall and elevated above the rest.

Common Words & Phrases

卓越 zhuóyuè — outstanding / brilliant

卓著 zhuózhù — distinguished / eminent

卓识 zhuóshí — profound insight

卓然 zhuórán — outstanding / lofty

Why Get 卓 as a Tattoo

卓 is a quiet statement of excellence — it means standing out through genuine merit. As a single-character tattoo it suits someone who values being exceptional without bragging. It reads as 'outstanding' to Chinese readers and looks elegant and uncommon to others. Pick it to mark a personal best, a graduation, or a standard you hold yourself to.

Tattoo Style & Placement

Best fits: elegant brush, fine-line, or refined serif. 卓 is compact and vertical, so it works as a small piece on the forearm, collarbone, wrist, or behind the ear. Its upright form suits a solo placement. Keep it at least ~4 mm tall so the top stroke stays defined.

Authenticity & Cultural Note

Check 卓 with a native speaker before inking — it can be mistaken for 桌 (zhuō, 'table') or 灼 (zhuó, 'burning/bright'). handmade.ink verifies each character with native linguists, so your 卓 means 'outstanding,' not 'table.'

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 卓 mean?

卓 (zhuó) means outstanding, eminent, or towering above the ordinary — excellence and distinction.

How do you pronounce 卓?

卓 is pronounced zhuó, a second-tone (rising) syllable in Mandarin.

Is 卓 a good tattoo meaning excellence?

Yes. 卓 is the character for standing out through merit, a tasteful tattoo for personal achievement, graduation, or a high standard you keep.

What words use 卓?

Common ones are 卓越 (zhuóyuè, outstanding), 卓著 (zhuózhù, distinguished), 卓识 (zhuóshí, profound insight), and 卓然 (zhuórán, lofty).

How is 卓 different from 桌 or 灼?

卓 (zhuó) means outstanding; 桌 (zhuō) means table; 灼 (zhuó) means burning or bright. Confirm the exact character with a native speaker before tattooing.