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March 24, 2026
忠zhōng(zhong1)
The character 忠 (zhōng) conveys the meaning of loyalty and devotion, often associated with being faithful to one's country, friends, or family. It is commonly used in contexts discussing moral integrity and reliability, such as in relationships or service to a cause.
Strokes8Radical心Frequency#5732DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 忠 is deeply rooted in Confucian values, which emphasize loyalty to the state and family. It is often cited in historical texts, reflecting the importance of fidelity in both interpersonal relationships and societal duty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heart (心) at the center of a shield (中), representing loyalty that protects and supports. The character 忠 combines the heart's sincerity with the idea of being in the middle, suggesting a steadfast commitment amidst challenges.
Meanings of 忠
zhōng(zhong1)
1loyal
2devoted
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 忠
忠Simplified
8Strokes
心Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#5732Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 忠
Podcast: 忠
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AI Study Notes for 忠
Quick Contrast
忠 (zhōng) vs 诚 (chéng) — choose 忠 when emphasizing loyalty and devotion, while 诚 focuses on honesty and sincerity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a heart (心) at the center of a shield (中), representing loyalty that protects and supports. The character 忠 combines the heart's sincerity with the idea of being in the middle, suggesting a steadfast commitment amidst challenges.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 忠 with other similar characters like 忍 (rěn), which means to endure. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing loyalty to a country or organization. Pay attention to the tone when pronouncing zhōng, as a mispronunciation can lead to misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Although 忠 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with themes of loyalty and integrity found in HSK Level 4 and 5 words. Focus on using it in sentences that express commitment or fidelity to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 忠 is deeply rooted in Confucian values, which emphasize loyalty to the state and family. It is often cited in historical texts, reflecting the importance of fidelity in both interpersonal relationships and societal duty.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly write 忠 as 忠诚 (zhōngchéng) when they mean to use just 忠. Remember that 忠 can stand alone to express loyalty, while 忠诚 emphasizes the quality of being loyal.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 忠
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Grammar Patterns of 忠
忠 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 4 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
我感谢他们长期以来____诚的效力。
I thanked them for their long and loyal service.
Example Sentences for 忠 (10)
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1
我感谢他们长期以来忠诚的效力。
wǒ gǎn xiè tā mén cháng qī yǐ lái zhōng chéng de xiào lì。
I thanked them for their long and loyal service.
2
对某些有不忠嫌疑的官员已经提起了诉讼。
duì mǒu xiē yǒu bù zhōng xián yí de guān yuán yǐ jīng tí qǐ le sù sòng。
Charges had already been made against certain officials suspected of disloyalty.
Wanting fidelity implies you're thinking about a major relationship.
7
我对肯德尔及其公司的忠诚加深了。
wǒ duì kěn dé ěr jí qí gōng sī de zhōng chéng jiā shēn le。
My allegiance to Kendall and his company ran deep.
8
她对马内家族忠心耿耿。
tā duì mǎ nèi jiā zú zhōng xīn gěng gěng。
She had developed strong loyalties to the Manet family.
9
现在还有太多其他的事情也要求他忠心。
xiàn zài huán yǒu tài duō qí tā de shì qíng yě yào qiú tā zhōng xīn。
There were too many other demands on his loyalty now.
10
她非常忠于职守, 一位卓越的女警察.
tā fēi cháng zhōng yú zhí shǒu, , yī wèi zhuó yuè de nǚ jǐng.
She was strongly committed to her job, a policewoman by eminence.
Cultural Notes for 忠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 忠 is deeply rooted in Confucian values, which emphasize loyalty to the state and family. It is often cited in historical texts, reflecting the importance of fidelity in both interpersonal relationships and societal duty.
Word Family of 忠
Words Containing This Character20
忠诚zhōngchéngdevoted忠誠
忠zhōngloyal
忠实zhōngshífaithful忠實
忠于zhōngyúto be loyal to忠於
忠告advice
忠心zhōngxīngood faith
效忠to vow loyalty and devotion to
忠贞zhōngzhēnloyal and dependable忠貞
忠心耿耿loyal and devoted (idiom); faithful and true
尽忠to display utter loyalty盡忠
忠臣faithful official
忠义fealty忠義
忠厚honest and considerate
魏忠贤Wei Zhongxian (1568-1627), infamous eunuch politician of late Ming魏忠賢
张献忠Zhang Xianzhong (1606-1647), leader of a late-Ming peasant revolt張獻忠
黄忠Huang Zhong (-220), general of Shu in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, portrayed as an old fighter黃忠
忠县Zhong county in Wanzhou suburbs of north Chongqing municipality, formerly in Sichuan忠縣
张自忠Zhang Zizhong (1891-1940), Chinese National Revolutionary Army general during the Second Sino-Japanese War張自忠
忠信faithful and honest
忠贞不渝unswerving in one's loyalty (idiom); faithful and constant忠貞不渝
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 忠诚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 忠
You can say 忠于国家 (zhōng yú guójiā), meaning 'loyal to the country'.
No, 忠 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often carries a serious connotation.
Some synonyms include 忠诚 (zhōngchéng), meaning 'loyalty', and 忍耐 (rěnnài), meaning 'endurance'.
