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March 24, 2026
壤rǎng(rang3)
The character '壤' (rǎng) refers to soil or earth, specifically rich or fertile soil used in agriculture. It is often used in contexts related to farming, gardening, and the natural environment, indicating the quality and type of soil in a given area.
Strokes20Radical土Frequency#54521DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
'壤' is often associated with traditional Chinese farming practices, where the quality of soil is crucial for crop yield. In Chinese culture, there is a deep respect for the land, and understanding soil types is vital for successful agriculture.
Memory Tip
Think of '壤' (rǎng) as a 'rich bank' of soil. The character has a top part that resembles a roof (土) representing earth, and below it looks like a treasure chest filled with valuable nutrients for plants. Imagine a farmer digging up this treasure to grow crops.
Meanings of 壤
rǎng(rang3)
1soil
2earth
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 壤
壤Simplified
20Strokes
土Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#54521Frequency Rank
Podcast: 壤
Podcast: 壤
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AI Study Notes for 壤
Quick Contrast
土 (tǔ) refers to earth or soil in a general sense, while 壤 (rǎng) specifically denotes rich or fertile soil, often in agricultural contexts.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse '壤' with similar characters like '土' (tǔ), which means 'earth' in a more general sense. '壤' is more specific to fertile soil. In academic or formal writing, it's important to use '壤' when discussing agricultural conditions.
HSK Study Tips
While '壤' is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to other HSK Level 3 words like '土' (tǔ) and '田' (tián), which means 'field'. Focus on the context of use related to agriculture and environmental discussions to reinforce your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '壤' with '土' (tǔ) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '土的质量' (tǔ de zhìliàng) instead of '壤的质量' (rǎng de zhìliàng) when specifically referring to soil quality is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 壤
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Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 襄 represents the sound.
1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
2The sound half襄 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayearth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 壤? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 壤?
Decomposition of 壤
IDS Structure⿰土襄
壤Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
襄Xiang1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 壤?
How to say soil in Chinese
“soil” in Chinese is壤rǎng
The character '壤' (rǎng) refers to soil or earth, specifically rich or fertile soil used in agriculture. It is often used in contexts related to farming, gardening, and the natural environment, indicating the quality and type of soil in a given area.
When to use 壤
A common mistake is to confuse '壤' with similar characters like '土' (tǔ), which means 'earth' in a more general sense. '壤' is more specific to fertile soil. In academic or formal writing, it's important to use '壤' when discussing agricultural conditions.
壤 or something close to it
土 (tǔ) refers to earth or soil in a general sense, while 壤 (rǎng) specifically denotes rich or fertile soil, often in agricultural contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '壤' with '土' (tǔ) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '土的质量' (tǔ de zhìliàng) instead of '壤的质量' (rǎng de zhìliàng) when specifically referring to soil quality is incorrect.
Write 壤
壤
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Practice writing 壤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 壤
壤 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
索米尔周围的白垩质土____出产著名的安茹葡萄酒。
The chalky soil around Saumur produces the famous Anjou wines.
Example Sentences for 壤 (10)
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1
索米尔周围的白垩质土壤出产著名的安茹葡萄酒。
suǒ mǐ ěr zhōu wéi de bái è zhì tǔ rǎng chū chǎn zhù míng de ān rú pú táo jiǔ。
The chalky soil around Saumur produces the famous Anjou wines.
