Meanings of 冠
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Podcast: 冠
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AI study notes for 冠
冠 (guān) vs 帽 (mào) — use 冠 for 'crown' or symbolic headwear, while 帽 refers specifically to 'hat' in a general sense.
Be careful not to confuse 冠 with similar-sounding words, such as 关 (guān), which means 'to close'. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in expressions related to achievement or leadership, such as 冠军 (guànjūn) meaning 'champion'.
Though 冠 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with other words related to competition and success, like 胜 (shèng, meaning 'to win'). Focus on its usage in phrases relating to victory and authority, as these will enhance vocabulary regarding achievements.
Learners often mispronounce 冠 as 'guān' with an incorrect tone. Ensure that you use the correct tone to distinguish it from other words, such as 'guǎn' (管), which means 'to manage'.
Pronunciation of 冠
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 冠
A man 元 puts on a cap 冖 with his hand 寸
Origin
What kind of character is 冠?
Decomposition of 冠
Parts
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How to say hat in Chinese
“hat” in Chinese is冠
The character 冠 (guān) primarily means 'crown' or 'hat', often symbolizing authority or achievement. It can also refer to the act of 'putting on a hat' or 'to be first' in a competition context, suggesting a sense of victory or leadership.
When to use 冠
Be careful not to confuse 冠 with similar-sounding words, such as 关 (guān), which means 'to close'. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in expressions related to achievement or leadership, such as 冠军 (guànjūn) meaning 'champion'.
冠 or something close to it
冠 (guān) vs 帽 (mào) — use 冠 for 'crown' or symbolic headwear, while 帽 refers specifically to 'hat' in a general sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 冠 as 'guān' with an incorrect tone. Ensure that you use the correct tone to distinguish it from other words, such as 'guǎn' (管), which means 'to manage'.
Write 冠
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Practice writing 冠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 冠
冠 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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这名重量级拳击____军将尝试挑战霍利菲尔德的世界冠军头衔。
The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.
Common confusions with 冠
Similar pronunciation but different meanings and radicals.
Similar sound and shape but different meanings.
Which one
Which one means “hat”?
Example sentences for 冠 (10)
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Word Family of 冠
Words with 冠
What does 冠军 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 冠
Yes, 冠 (guān) is a recognized surname in China, although it is not among the most common ones. It can be found in various regions and is often associated with individuals who may have historical or cultural significance.
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