unknown, 16 strokes, radical 土, rank #88646, Very Hard
壅
yōng
to heap soil around the roots of a plant
unknown, 16 strokes, radical 土, rank #88646, Very Hard
yōng(yong1) T1
1to block; to obstruct
2to stop up
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March 24, 2026
壅yōng(yong1)
The character 壅 (yōng) means to block or obstruct something. It is often used in contexts where an obstacle prevents movement or flow, such as blocking a road or obstructing a view. Additionally, it can refer to the act of heaping soil around the roots of a plant, which relates to nurturing growth.
Strokes16Radical土Frequency#88646DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese agriculture, heaping soil around the roots of plants is a technique believed to promote better growth, linking the character 壅 to practical farming practices in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant wall (the radical 壌) blocking your way (yōng sounds like 'young', and think of a 'young' tree surrounded by a mound of soil). Visualize trying to get past this wall to reach the tree, reinforcing the idea of obstruction.
Meanings of 壅
yōng(yong1)
1to block; to obstruct
2to stop up
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 壅
壅Simplified
16Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 壅
Podcast: 壅
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AI Study Notes for 壅
Quick Contrast
阻 (zǔ) — use 壅 when referring specifically to physical blockage or obstruction, while 阻 is more general and can refer to hindering or preventing actions.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant wall (the radical 壌) blocking your way (yōng sounds like 'young', and think of a 'young' tree surrounded by a mound of soil). Visualize trying to get past this wall to reach the tree, reinforcing the idea of obstruction.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 壅 is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation; phrases like 'to block' (阻挡) might be more frequently heard. A common mistake is to confuse 壅 with similar-sounding words, so pay attention to context and usage.
HSK Study Tips
This character is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding it can enhance your comprehension of more advanced texts. Focus on its meaning in relation to other words about obstruction or blockage, such as 阻止 (zǔzhǐ) and 拦 (lán).
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese agriculture, heaping soil around the roots of plants is a technique believed to promote better growth, linking the character 壅 to practical farming practices in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 壅 with 阻, mistakenly using it in phrases like '壅路' instead of '阻路' for 'block the road'. Always use the correct character based on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 壅
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Cultural Notes for 壅
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese agriculture, heaping soil around the roots of plants is a technique believed to promote better growth, linking the character 壅 to practical farming practices in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 壅
Words Containing This Character2
壅yōngto obstruct
壅塞to be clogged up
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 壅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 壅
The pronunciation is 'yōng', with the first tone being high and level.
It's not commonly used in casual speech; you'll more often hear it in literary or formal contexts.
Synonyms include 阻挡 (zǔdǎng) and 拦 (lán), which also refer to blocking or obstructing.
