The cathodic deposition properties and mechanism of Zn in alkaline zincate solution were studied by electrochemical techniques. The results show that Zn2+ exists in the alkaline solution in the form of Zn(OH)42-. The apparent activation energy of the electrode reaction is 38.93 kJ/mol, which indicates that the discharge of Zn(OH)42- on cathode is controlled by electrochemical polarization, and accompanied by a preceding chemical reaction. The diflusion coefficient of Zn(OH)42- is 2.452×10～cm2/s. Zn(OH)2 is the species directly discharged on the cathode surface. Based on the above results the mechanism of zinc electroplating in alkaline zincate solution was put forward.The discharged species is Zn(OH)2 formed from the preceding chemical reaction, which becomes Zn(OH)ad when gaining one electron, and then gaining the second electron to become Zn.The first electron gaining step is rate determining one.