Zhao Benshan (1958-), a famous Chinese television comedian and actor known for his performances in the annual New Year's Gala

Zhao Wei or Vicky Zhao (1976-), a famous Chinese actress and filmmaker

Famous general of the [[蜀汉|蜀漢|shu3 han4]] kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, known for his loyalty and bravery; also known by his courtesy name [[赵子龙|趙子龍|zhao4 zi3 long2]].

Zhao Ziyang (1919-2005), a prominent Chinese politician and major figure in the economic reform movement; he served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party from 1987 to 1989.

The state of Zhao, one of the seven major states during the Warring States period (475-221 BC)

Founding emperor of the Song dynasty (reigned 960–976), also known by his temple name [[宋太祖|宋太祖|song4 tai4 zu3]]

Courtesy name of [[赵云|趙雲|zhao4 yun2]], a famous general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

Zhao Kuo (died 260 BC), a general of the state of [[赵国|趙國|zhao4 guo2]] during the Warring States period; he was famously defeated at the Battle of Changping after replacing the cautious [[廉颇|廉頗|lian2 po1]], and is the origin of the idiom 'fighting on paper' due to his lack of practical experience despite his knowledge of military theory.

(died 207 BC) powerful and notoriously corrupt eunuch of the Qin dynasty who conspired with [[李斯|李斯|li3 si1]] to place [[胡亥|胡亥|hu2 hai4]] on the throne and eventually brought about the dynasty's collapse

A deity in Chinese folk tradition and Taoism known as the God of Wealth; often depicted as a general and considered the leader of the five gods of wealth.

Later Zhao, one of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (319-350), founded by Shi Le of the Jie people; initially with its capital at Xiangguo and later at Ye.

The army of the state of [[赵国|趙國|zhao4 guo2]] during the Warring States period.

The personal name of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty (reigned 1100–1126); a noted calligrapher and painter who developed the 'slender gold' style. He was eventually captured by the Jin dynasty and died in captivity.

Zhao Shuli (1906-1970), a famous Chinese novelist known for his stories about rural life

Literally "to return the jade annulus to Zhao", this refers to returning an object to its original owner in perfect condition. The phrase originates from the story of [[蔺相如|藺相如|lin4 xiang1 ru2]] returning a precious jade to the state of Zhao intact after outwitting the King of Qin.

Zhao Gou (1107-1187), personal name of the tenth Song Emperor [[宋高宗|宋高宗|song4 gao1 zong1]] who reigned from 1127 to 1162.

Zhao County in [[石家庄|石家莊|shi2 jia1 zhuang1]], Hebei province

personal name of Emperor Qinzong of Northern Song (1100-1156), the last emperor of the Northern Song dynasty who reigned from 1126 to 1127

Empress of the Han Dynasty (died 1 BC) known for her slender build and skills as a dancer; she was the second wife of Emperor Cheng and later became Empress Dowager during the reign of Emperor Ai.

A high official of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (died 541 BC), also known as [[赵文子|趙文子|zhao4 wen2 zi3]] or [[赵孟|趙孟|zhao4 meng4]]; he was the central figure in the Orphan of Zhao story, having survived the massacre of his family as an infant through the protection of Cheng Ying and Gongsun Chujiu.

Zhao Leji (1957-), a high-ranking Chinese politician and member of the Politburo Standing Committee.

Yuen Ren Chao (1892-1982), a famous Chinese-American linguist; known as a pioneer in modern Chinese linguistics and the author of influential works on grammar and phonology, such as A Grammar of Spoken Chinese

Personal name of Emperor Zhenzong, the third emperor of the Song dynasty who reigned from 997 to 1022

The Former Zhao of the Sixteen Kingdoms (304–329); founded by Liu Yuan, it was originally called Han and is sometimes referred to as Northern Han in history before being renamed to Zhao.

(idiom) to relieve a besieged ally by attacking the home base of the besiegers; literally "to besiege [[魏|魏|wei4]] and rescue [[赵|趙|zhao4]]"

The world's oldest extant open-spandrel stone arch bridge, located in Zhao County, Hebei Province; built during the Sui dynasty (581-618) by the craftsman [[李春|李春|li3 chun1]].

(1081–1129) A famous scholar of bronze and stone inscriptions during the Northern Song dynasty; husband of the poet [[李清照|李清照|li3 qing1 zhao4]].

A ruler of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period, known for adopting the dress and cavalry tactics of nomadic tribes to strengthen his military; he was later starved to death in a palace coup.

an alias for Zhao Wu, a statesman of the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period and the protagonist of the Orphan of Zhao story

Zhao Zhongyao (1902-1998), Chinese pioneer nuclear physicist

Zhao Yi (1727-1814), a prominent Qing dynasty poet, historian, and critic known for his historical research and his role as one of the three great poets of the Qianlong era; his works include the [[二十二史札记|二十二史劄記|er4 shi2 er4 shi3 zha2 ji4]].

Personal name of King Wuling of Zhao, who ruled the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period

Zhao Zhiqian (1829-1884), a renowned Chinese calligrapher, painter, and seal engraver of the late Qing dynasty.

Zhao Qi (c. 108–201), an Eastern Han scholar and official known for his influential commentary on the [[孟子|孟子|meng4 zi3]].

Zhao Ye, a Han dynasty historian known for writing the Wu Yue Chun Qiu, a historical work covering the history of the states of Wu and Yue

Marshal Zhao, also known as [[赵公明|趙公明|zhao4 gong1 ming2]], the God of Wealth in Chinese folk tradition and Taoism

King Huiwen of Zhao, ruler of the state of [[赵国|趙國|zhao4 guo2]] during the Warring States Period (reigned 298–266 BC)

(derogatory) the elite ruling class of the People's Republic of China; those who hold significant political or economic power

honorific title for Zhao Gongming, a major Chinese deity of wealth and a powerful general in folk religion and Daoist tradition

(idiom) any ordinary person; anyone; refers collectively to common people or people of no particular importance

Zhao Boju (c. 1120–1162), a famous painter of the Southern Song Dynasty known for his detailed blue-and-green landscape style and for being a descendant of the first Song imperial family.

To return an item to its original owner intact; see the more common form [[完璧归赵|完璧歸趙|wan2 bi4 gui1 zhao4]]

posthumous name of Zhao Wu, a senior minister of the Jin State during the Spring and Autumn period

God of Wealth in Taoism and folk religion, also known as [[赵公明|趙公明|zhao4 gong1 ming2]]; often depicted as a protective military figure and leader of the five gods of wealth.

Five Dynasties literary figure from the Later Shu state, noted for compiling the [[花间集|花間集|hua1 jian1 ji2]], which is the oldest surviving anthology of song lyrics.

to return a borrowed object to its original owner in perfect condition; same as the idiom to return the jade intact to the State of Zhao

(literary) to return an object to its original owner in perfect condition; to return something with thanks

Used as generic names to refer to any person or any group of ordinary people.

(bound form) to return an object to its original and rightful owner; literally "returning to Zhao"