Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
扃jiōng(jiong1)
The character 扃 (jiōng) refers to a door latch or crossbar, primarily used to secure a door. In literary contexts, it also means to shut or bolt a door, emphasizing the action of securing an entryway, often with a sense of finality or protection.
Strokes9Radical户Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese architecture, doors often symbolize entry into another realm, and securing them with a latch like 扃 reflects cultural values of protection and privacy. This is especially significant during festivals or family gatherings when homes are secured.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sturdy latch (扃) holding a heavy door closed. The left part of the character, 扌, is like a hand grasping the latch, while the right part, 京, reminds you of a 'key' that symbolizes security. Together, they create a vivid image of securing a door, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 扃
jiōng(jiong1)
1door latch, crossbar
2(literary) to shut or bolt a door
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 扃
扃Simplified
9Strokes
户Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 扃
Podcast: 扃
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 扃
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sturdy latch (扃) holding a heavy door closed. The left part of the character, 扌, is like a hand grasping the latch, while the right part, 京, reminds you of a 'key' that symbolizes security. Together, they create a vivid image of securing a door, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
扃 is more commonly found in literary or formal texts rather than in everyday conversation. Be cautious not to confuse it with related terms like 门 (mén), which means 'door' without the locking aspect. Always use the correct tone, as mispronouncing jiōng can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
This character is not part of the official HSK levels but can be useful for learners interested in classical literature or specific architectural vocabulary. Focus on recognizing its structure and relation to other door-related terms like 门 (mén) and 闭 (bì).
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese architecture, doors often symbolize entry into another realm, and securing them with a latch like 扃 reflects cultural values of protection and privacy. This is especially significant during festivals or family gatherings when homes are secured.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 扃 interchangeably with 门 (mén) when they actually refer to different aspects of a door. For example, saying '我关门' (wǒ guān mén) instead of '我锁扃' (wǒ suǒ jiōng) when referring to locking the door can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 扃
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 扃 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 扃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 扃
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese architecture, doors often symbolize entry into another realm, and securing them with a latch like 扃 reflects cultural values of protection and privacy. This is especially significant during festivals or family gatherings when homes are secured.
Word Family of 扃
Words Containing This Character1
扃jiōngdoor
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 扃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 扃
No, 扃 is more often found in formal or literary contexts than in everyday speech.
The correct pronunciation is jiōng, with a high level tone.
While it primarily refers to a latch or crossbar, it can also imply the action of securing a door, but it's less common for modern locks.
