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March 24, 2026
桑Sāng(Sang1)
桑 (sāng) primarily refers to the mulberry tree, which is significant in traditional Chinese agriculture and silk production. It is also used as a surname, especially among Chinese families. The character has historical significance as it relates to the cultivation of silkworms, which feed on mulberry leaves.
Strokes10Radical木Frequency#6086DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the mulberry tree is associated with silk production, as it provides leaves for silkworms, which are crucial for silk-making. This connection highlights the importance of agriculture and craftsmanship in Chinese history.
Memory tip
Imagine a large mulberry tree (桑) with its broad leaves. The shape of the character resembles a tree with branches (木) and leaves, helping you remember that it represents a tree. Connect 'sāng' with 'sang' from 'singing,' as in singing under the shade of a beautiful mulberry tree.
Meanings of 桑
Sāng(Sang1)
1mulberry tree
2mulberry tree; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 桑 means.
About 桑
桑Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#6086Frequency Rank
Podcast: 桑
Podcast: 桑
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AI study notes for 桑
Usage Notes
桑 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in literature or discussions about agriculture. Common collocations include 桑树 (sāngshù - mulberry tree) and 桑蚕 (sāngcán - mulberry silkworm). Be careful with pronunciation; the first tone (sāng) must be clear to avoid confusion with other tones.
HSK Study Tips
桑 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to nature and plants. Students should focus on recognizing characters with similar structures and tones to enhance their reading comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 桑 (sāng) with other similar-sounding words like 僧 (sēng - monk), leading to miscommunication. Always ensure you're using the correct tone: 桑 is first tone, while 僧 is first tone as well but has a different meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 桑
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Learning Lab
Knowing 桑 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
桑 (sāng) primarily refers to the mulberry tree, which is significant in traditional Chinese agriculture and silk production. It is also used as a surname, especially among Chinese families. The character has historical significance as it relates to the cultivation of silkworms, which feed on mulberry leaves.
When to use 桑
桑 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in literature or discussions about agriculture. Common collocations include 桑树 (sāngshù - mulberry tree) and 桑蚕 (sāngcán - mulberry silkworm). Be careful with pronunciation; the first tone (sāng) must be clear to avoid confusion with other tones.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 桑 (sāng) with other similar-sounding words like 僧 (sēng - monk), leading to miscommunication. Always ensure you're using the correct tone: 桑 is first tone, while 僧 is first tone as well but has a different meaning.
Write 桑
桑
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Practice writing 桑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 桑
桑 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____塔格一直是那种兼具美貌与智慧的人中龙凤。
Sontag has always been that rarity, a glamorous intellectual.
Example sentences for 桑 (16)
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1
桑塔格一直是那种兼具美貌与智慧的人中龙凤。
Sāng tǎ gé yìzhí shì nà zhǒng jiān jù měi mào yǔ zhìhuì de rén zhōng lóngfèng。
Sontag has always been that rarity, a glamorous intellectual.
2
我隐隐觉得打电话的是桑特罗。
wǒ yǐn yǐn juéde dǎdiànhuà de shì Sāng tè luō。
I just had a feeling that it was Santero on the telephone.
3
北边是班亚斯德桑隆温泉。
běibiān shì bān yà Sī dé Sāng lōng wēnquán。
To the north are the hot springs of Banyas de Sant Loan.
4
桑普多利亚队主场1比2负于热那亚队之后，终止了自己的不败纪录。
Sāng pǔ duō lì yà duì zhǔ chǎng1 bǐ2 fù yú rè nà yà duì zhīhòu， zhōngzhǐ le zìjǐ de bù bài jìlù。
Sampdoria lost their unbeaten record with a 2-1 home defeat against Genoa.
