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噌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
噌cēngto scold, to shout atzg, 15 strokes, radical 口, rank #32723, Very Hard
噌cēngsound of bells etcunknown, 15 strokes, radical 口, rank #32723, Very Hard
噌cēngwhoosh!unknown, 15 strokes, radical 口, rank #32723, Very Hard
噌chēngto scold, to shout atzg, 15 strokes, radical 口, rank #32723, Very Hard
噌chēngsound of bells etcunknown, 15 strokes, radical 口, rank #32723, Very Hard
噌chēngwhoosh!unknown, 15 strokes, radical 口, rank #32723, Very Hard
cēng(ceng1)ceng
primary
T1
  1. 1to scold, to shout at
  2. 2sound of bells etc
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March 24, 2026

噌cēng(ceng1)

The character 噌 (cēng) primarily conveys the act of scolding or shouting at someone. It is often used to describe a loud, abrupt sound, such as that of bells or alarms. The nuance of this character may suggest intensity or urgency in the action of shouting.

Strokes15Radical口Frequency#32723DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, loud scolding is often associated with authority figures such as parents or teachers; it reflects a cultural expectation for discipline and respect. The sound of bells is also significant in traditions like temple ceremonies, where they signal various important events.

Memory tip

Imagine a loud bell ringing (the sound of 噌) and someone scolding a child for making too much noise. The sound 'cēng' can be visualized as the noise that reverberates in the air, similar to the ringing of a bell, making it easier to remember both its pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 噌

cēng(ceng1)
primary
1to scold, to shout at
2sound of bells etc
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 噌

噌Simplified
15Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 噌

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Podcast: 噌

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AI study notes for 噌

Usage Notes

This character is typically used in informal contexts, often conveying strong emotions. A common mistake is using 噌 in overly formal situations where a softer expression would be more appropriate. Be cautious with the tone; the first tone in 'cēng' is crucial to its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 噌 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of onomatopoeic expressions and emotional language in Mandarin. Focus on its phonetic components and how they relate to other sound-related words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 噌 with similar-sounding characters like 叱 (chì), which also means to scold but has a more formal tone. For example, saying '我噌他' (wǒ cēng tā) might be incorrect if a more formal approach is needed; '我斥责他' (wǒ chìzé tā) would be more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 噌

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Etymology of 噌

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)曾
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

噌 = 口 + 曾. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 噌

IDS Structure⿰口曾
噌Full character
=
口kou3
left
曾ceng2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 噌?

How to say to scold, to shout at in Chinese

“to scold, to shout at” in Chinese is噌cēng

The character 噌 (cēng) primarily conveys the act of scolding or shouting at someone. It is often used to describe a loud, abrupt sound, such as that of bells or alarms. The nuance of this character may suggest intensity or urgency in the action of shouting.

When to use 噌

This character is typically used in informal contexts, often conveying strong emotions. A common mistake is using 噌 in overly formal situations where a softer expression would be more appropriate. Be cautious with the tone; the first tone in 'cēng' is crucial to its meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 噌 with similar-sounding characters like 叱 (chì), which also means to scold but has a more formal tone. For example, saying '我噌他' (wǒ cēng tā) might be incorrect if a more formal approach is needed; '我斥责他' (wǒ chìzé tā) would be more appropriate.

Write 噌

噌

Practice writing 噌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 噌

Words containing this character2
噌cēngto scold
味噌wèicēngalso pr. [wèi​zēng]
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 噌

What does 味噌 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 噌

No, 噌 is not frequently used in everyday conversations but may appear in literary or expressive contexts.

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