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壮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
壮zhuàngZhuang ethnic group of Guangxi, the PRC's second most numerous ethnic groupHSK 7, v, 6 strokes, radical 士, rank #4632, Hard
壮zhuàngZhuang: BouxcuenghHSK 7, v, 6 strokes, radical 士, rank #4632, Hard
壮zhuàngto strengthenHSK 7, v, 6 strokes, radical 士, rank #4632, Hard
壮zhuàngstrongHSK 7, v, 6 strokes, radical 士, rank #4632, Hard
壮zhuàngrobustHSK 7, v, 6 strokes, radical 士, rank #4632, Hard
壮zhuàngbig, large; robust, strong; the name of a tribeHSK 7, v, 6 strokes, radical 士, rank #4632, Hard
zhuàng(Zhuang4) T4
  1. 1Zhuang ethnic group of Guangxi, the PRC's second most numerous ethnic group
  2. 2Zhuang: Bouxcuengh
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
壮(壯)zhuàng(Zhuang4)

The character 壮 (zhuàng) primarily means 'strong' or 'robust,' and can refer to physical strength or a state of being large or powerful. It is also used to denote the Zhuang ethnic group, one of China's largest ethnic minorities, primarily found in Guangxi province. In various contexts, it can imply vigor and health.

Strokes6Radical士Frequency#4632DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The Zhuang ethnic group has a rich cultural heritage, including unique festivals and traditional songs that are celebrated in Guangxi. Knowing the term 壯 can enhance your understanding of the cultural diversity in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong warrior (壮) standing tall, embodying strength and power. The character has a 'mountain' radical that suggests height and robustness, and the sound 'zhuàng' can be remembered by picturing a giant (壮) who is 'larger than life'.

Meanings of 壮

zhuàng(Zhuang4)
1Zhuang ethnic group of Guangxi, the PRC's second most numerous ethnic group
2Zhuang: Bouxcuengh
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 壮

壮Simplified
壯Traditional
6Strokes
士Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#4632Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 壮

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Podcast: 壮

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AI Study Notes for 壮

Quick Contrast

壮 (zhuàng) vs 强 (qiáng) — use 壮 when emphasizing physical robustness or size, while 强 focuses more on strength or intensity.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a strong warrior (壮) standing tall, embodying strength and power. The character has a 'mountain' radical that suggests height and robustness, and the sound 'zhuàng' can be remembered by picturing a giant (壮) who is 'larger than life'.

Usage Notes

壯 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its tone as it can change the meaning entirely. Combining it with other words, like 壯觀 (zhuàngguān) meaning 'magnificent', is a common mistake due to mispronunciation. Remember it is pronounced with a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 壯 is not commonly included in standard HSK vocabulary, it can enrich your vocabulary, especially when discussing cultural or ethnic topics. Focus on its usage in describing strength or robustness, and connect it with other adjectives of quality and health at similar levels.

Cultural Note

The Zhuang ethnic group has a rich cultural heritage, including unique festivals and traditional songs that are celebrated in Guangxi. Knowing the term 壯 can enhance your understanding of the cultural diversity in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 壮 with its similar-sounding character 状 (zhuàng), which means 'condition' or 'state'. For example, saying '我很状' (wǒ hěn zhuàng) instead of '我很壮' (wǒ hěn zhuàng) can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 壮

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Etymology of 壮

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 士 represents the meaning and 丬 represents the sound. Simplified form of 壯.

Memory Hint

soldier

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 壮?

Decomposition of 壮

IDS Structure⿰丬士
壮Full Character
=
丬qiang2
left
士Shi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 壮?

Write 壮

壮

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

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Grammar Patterns of 壮

壮 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

36岁的汉德拉身体健____，有着21岁小伙子的体能。

Xandra is an athletic 36-year-old with a 21-year-old's body.

Example Sentences for 壮 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
36岁的汉德拉身体健壮，有着21岁小伙子的体能。

36 36 suì de hàn dé lā shēn tǐ jiàn， zhuàng ，21 yǒu zháo 21 suì xiǎo huǒ zǐ。

Xandra is an athletic 36-year-old with a 21-year-old's body.
2
你打算怎样来发展壮大自己的公司？

nǐ dǎ suàn zěn yàng lái fā zhǎn zhuàng dà zì jǐ de gōng sī？

What are your plans for the development of your company?
3
庞大的海鸟群是最壮观的景象之一。

páng dà de hǎi niǎo qún shì zuì zhuàng guān de jǐng xiàng zhī yī。

Among the most spectacular sights are the great sea-bird colonies.
4
从这座房子可以俯瞰到特拉华湾壮丽的景致。

cóng zhè zuò fáng zǐ kě yǐ fǔ kàn dào tè lā huá wān zhuàng lì de jǐng zhì。

The house commanded some splendid views of Delaware Bay.
5
他可能不是全班身体最壮的。

tā kě néng bù shì quán bān shēn tǐ zuì zhuàng de。

He was not perhaps physically the strongest in the class.
6
他是个40岁左右的高大男子，肩宽体壮。

tā shì gè40 40 suì zuǒ yòu de gāo dà nán， zǐ ， jiān kuān。

He was a big man of about forty, wide-shouldered and heavily built.
7
他们的身体发育得很好，非常健壮。

tā mén de shēn tǐ fā yù dé hěn hǎo， ， fēi cháng jiàn。

Their bodies were well-developed and super fit.
8
尼安德特时期的人非常强壮，和我们迥然不同。

ní ān dé tè shí qī de rén fēi cháng qiáng zhuàng， ， hé wǒ mén jiǒng rán bù。

The Neanderthals were very robust and quite different from us.
9
这些体格健壮的运动员吃这么多会变成胖子的。

zhè xiē tǐ gé jiàn zhuàng de yùn dòng yuán chī zhè mó duō huì biàn chéng pàng zǐ de。

Consuming this amount of food could turn these fit players into fatties.
10
另一种可能性是亲鸟会偏爱强壮的雏鸟。

lìng yī zhǒng kě néng xìng shì qīn niǎo huì piān ài qiáng zhuàng de chú niǎo。

Another possibility is that parents favour chicks that are strong.

Cultural Notes for 壮

🏮Cultural insight

The Zhuang ethnic group has a rich cultural heritage, including unique festivals and traditional songs that are celebrated in Guangxi. Knowing the term 壯 can enhance your understanding of the cultural diversity in China.

Word Family of 壮

Compounds2
装zhuang1adornment
荘
Words Containing This Character20
强壮qiángzhuàngstrong強壯
壮zhuàngstrong壯
壮大zhuàngdàto expand壯大
壮观zhuàngguānspectacular壯觀
健壮jiànzhuàngrobust健壯
壮举magnificent feat壯舉
壮丽zhuànglìmagnificence壯麗
理直气壮lǐzhíqìzhuàngjust and forceful理直氣壯
粗壮thick and solid粗壯
悲壮solemn and stirring悲壯
壮烈zhuànglièbrave壯烈
壮士hero壯士
青壮年the prime of one's life青壯年
雄壮majestic雄壯
茁壮sturdy茁壯
壮志great goal壯志
广西壮族自治区until 1959, Guangxi province廣西壯族自治區
壮阳to boost male sex drive壯陽
壮年summer壯年
波澜壮阔surging forward with great momentum波瀾壯闊
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 装 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 壮

Besides its meaning of 'strong', 壮 also refers to the Zhuang ethnic group, highlighting the cultural aspect of the word.