What is the chemical formula for zinc carbonate?

The chemical formula for zinc carbonate is \( \text{ZnCO}_3 \).

### Explanation:

1. **Zinc (Zn)**: Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol \( \text{Zn} \) and an atomic number of 30. In compounds, zinc typically has a +2 oxidation state.

2. **Carbonate (CO₃)**: The carbonate ion is a polyatomic ion with the formula \( \text{CO}_3^{2-} \). It consists of one carbon atom and three oxygen atoms, carrying a -2 charge.

3. **Combining Zinc and Carbonate**:
- Since zinc has a +2 charge and the carbonate ion has a -2 charge, they combine in a 1:1 ratio to balance the charges.
- Thus, one zinc ion (\( \text{Zn}^{2+} \)) pairs with one carbonate ion (\( \text{CO}_3^{2-} \)) to form the neutral compound zinc carbonate.

### Result:
The resulting chemical formula is:
\[
\text{ZnCO}_3
\]