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囪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
囪cōngchimneyzg, 7 strokes, radical 囗
cōng(cong1)cong T1
  1. 1chimney
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March 24, 2026

囪cōng(cong1)

The character 囪 (cōng) refers to a chimney, which is a structure that allows smoke and gases from a fire to escape into the atmosphere. It is commonly used in discussions about architecture, heating systems, and home design, particularly in relation to traditional Chinese homes where fireplaces and stoves are prevalent.

Strokes7Radical囗
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese architecture, chimneys played a crucial role in ensuring proper ventilation in homes, especially for stoves used in cooking. The design and placement of chimneys reflect historical practices in managing indoor air quality.

Memory tip

Imagine a tall, cylindrical structure (the chimney) rising from a house, where smoke swirls out at the top, resembling the character 囪. The top part (囗) suggests an enclosure, while the inner part (宗) looks like it's hosting a fire, emphasizing its function.

Meanings of 囪

cōng(cong1)
1chimney
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 囪

囪Simplified
7Strokes
囗Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 囪

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Podcast: 囪

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AI Study Notes for 囪

Usage Notes

When using 囪, ensure you're talking about chimneys specifically; using it too broadly can cause confusion. It's more commonly used in written contexts rather than spoken language. Watch out for tonal mistakes, as cōng (高) has a different meaning from còng (重).

HSK Study Tips

While 囪 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it connects with topics related to home and architecture, which are found in lower HSK levels. Focus on building vocabulary around home-related terms to understand context better.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 囪 with similar-sounding words or use it incorrectly in contexts unrelated to chimneys. For instance, saying '我喜欢囪的颜色' (I like the color of the chimney) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个房子的囪' (I like the chimney of this house).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 囪

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Jason Explains 囪 to You

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Etymology of 囪

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Variant form of 囪, which is a pictograph of a window.

Memory hint

A fire burning and giving off smoke

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 囪?

Decomposition of 囪

IDS Structure⿴囗?
囪Full character
=
囗wei2
enclosing
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 囪?

How to say chimney in Chinese

“chimney” in Chinese is囪cōng

The character 囪 (cōng) refers to a chimney, which is a structure that allows smoke and gases from a fire to escape into the atmosphere. It is commonly used in discussions about architecture, heating systems, and home design, particularly in relation to traditional Chinese homes where fireplaces and stoves are prevalent.

When to use 囪

When using 囪, ensure you're talking about chimneys specifically; using it too broadly can cause confusion. It's more commonly used in written contexts rather than spoken language. Watch out for tonal mistakes, as cōng (高) has a different meaning from còng (重).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 囪 with similar-sounding words or use it incorrectly in contexts unrelated to chimneys. For instance, saying '我喜欢囪的颜色' (I like the color of the chimney) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这个房子的囪' (I like the chimney of this house).

Write 囪

囪

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

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Word Family of 囪

Words containing this character2
烟囱yāncōngchimney煙囪
囱chuāngchimney囪
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 囪

What does 烟囱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 囪

While 囪 specifically refers to a chimney, other words may refer to similar structures or concepts in different contexts. Make sure to use 囪 when discussing traditional or specific types of chimneys.

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