Zinc pnictides, particularly Zn<sub>3</sub>As<sub>2</sub>, hold significant promise for optoelectronic applications owing to their intrinsic p-type behavior and appropriate bandgaps. However, despite the outstanding properties of colloidal Zn<sub>3</sub>As<sub>2</sub> nanocrystals, research in this area is lacking because of the absence of suitable precursors, occurrence of surface oxidation, and intricacy of the crystal structures. In this study, a novel and facile solution-based synthetic approach is presented for obtaining highly crystalline p-type Zn<sub>3</sub>As<sub>2</sub> nanocrystals with accurate stoichiometry. By carefully controlling the feed ratio and reaction temperature, colloidal Zn<sub>3</sub>As<sub>2</sub> nanocrystals are successfully obtained. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the conversion of As precursors in the initial phases of Zn<sub>3</sub>As<sub>2</sub> synthesis is elucidated. Furthermore, these nanocrystals are employed as active layers in field-effect transistors that exhibit inherent p-type characteristics with native surface ligands. To enhance the charge transport properties, a dual passivation strategy is introduced via phase-transfer ligand exchange, leading to enhanced hole mobilities as high as 0.089 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>-1</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>. This study not only contributes to the advancement of nanocrystal synthesis, but also opens up new possibilities for previously underexplored p-type nanocrystal research.