Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
滄cāng(cang1)
The character 滄 (cāng) refers to the vastness and depth of the sea, often evoking a sense of both beauty and coldness. It is commonly used in literary contexts to describe the ocean or large bodies of water, emphasizing their expansive and sometimes intimidating nature.
Strokes13Radical氵
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, the sea is often a symbol of vastness and the unknown, reflecting philosophical ideas about life and destiny. 滄 captures this essence, making it a powerful word in traditional Chinese literature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a deep, azure sea (滄) where the waves crash cold against the shore. The character resembles waves flowing across a vast expanse, with the radical water (氵) at the left, hinting at its connection to the sea.
Meanings of 滄
cāng(cang1)
1azure, cold, vast (all as of the sea)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 滄
滄Simplified
13Strokes
氵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 滄
Podcast: 滄
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 滄
Quick Contrast
海 (hǎi) - use 滄 (cāng) to evoke a sense of vastness and depth in a literary context, while 海 (hǎi) is a more general term for 'sea'.
Usage Notes
滄 is often used in literary and poetic contexts, making it less common in everyday conversation. Be mindful of its formal tone; it pairs well with words like '海' (hǎi, sea) to describe vast waters. Misusing it in casual settings may sound overly dramatic.
HSK Study Tips
Although 滄 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other water-related words like '海' (hǎi) and '江' (jiāng). Students should focus on recognizing its literary significance and the way it enhances descriptions of nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 滄 with other water-related characters, such as 海 (hǎi) or 江 (jiāng). For example, using 滄 in place of 海 to refer to the sea in casual conversation can sound overly poetic.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 滄
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 滄 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 仓 represents the sound. Simplified form of 滄.
1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
2The sound half倉 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 滄? 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 滄?
Decomposition of 滄
IDS Structure⿰氵倉
滄Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
倉cang1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 滄?
How to say azure, cold, vast (all as of the sea) in Chinese
“azure, cold, vast (all as of the sea)” in Chinese is滄cāng
The character 滄 (cāng) refers to the vastness and depth of the sea, often evoking a sense of both beauty and coldness. It is commonly used in literary contexts to describe the ocean or large bodies of water, emphasizing their expansive and sometimes intimidating nature.
When to use 滄
滄 is often used in literary and poetic contexts, making it less common in everyday conversation. Be mindful of its formal tone; it pairs well with words like '海' (hǎi, sea) to describe vast waters. Misusing it in casual settings may sound overly dramatic.
滄 or something close to it
海 (hǎi) - use 滄 (cāng) to evoke a sense of vastness and depth in a literary context, while 海 (hǎi) is a more general term for 'sea'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 滄 with other water-related characters, such as 海 (hǎi) or 江 (jiāng). For example, using 滄 in place of 海 to refer to the sea in casual conversation can sound overly poetic.
Write 滄
滄
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 滄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Word Family of 滄
Words Containing This Character20
沧桑cāngsānggreat changes滄桑
沧cāngcold滄
沧海桑田fig. the transformations of the world滄海桑田
曾经沧海lit. having crossed the vast ocean (idiom)曾經滄海
沧州Cangzhou prefecture-level city in Hebei滄州
澜沧江Lancang River of Qinghai and Yunnan, the upper reaches of Mekong River 湄公河[MéigōngHé] of Southeast Asia瀾滄江
沧浪Canglang district of Suzhou city 蘇州市|苏州市[Sūzhōushì], Jiangsu滄浪
沧州市Cangzhou prefecture-level city in Hebei滄州市
李沧Licang district of Qingdao city 青島市|青岛市, Shandong李滄
临沧Lincang prefecture-level city in Yunnan臨滄
李沧区Licang district of Qingdao city 青島市|青岛市, Shandong李滄區
沧海一粟a drop in the ocean (idiom)滄海一粟
饱经沧桑bǎojīngcāngsānghaving lived through many changes飽經滄桑
临沧市Lincang prefecture-level city in Yunnan臨滄市
沧县Cang county in Cangzhou 滄州|沧州[Cāngzhōu], Hebei滄縣
沧浪区Canglang district of Suzhou city 蘇州市|苏州市[Sūzhōushì], Jiangsu滄浪區
临沧地区Lincang prefecture in Yunnan臨滄地區
澜沧县Lancang Lahuzu autonomous county in Pu'er 普洱[Pǔ'ěr], Yunnan瀾滄縣
沧源县Cangyuan Va autonomous county in Lincang 臨滄|临沧[Líncāng], Yunnan滄源縣
沧海遗珠undiscovered talent (idiom)滄海遺珠
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 沧桑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 滄
It is pronounced as 'cāng', with a high level tone.
It is better suited for formal or literary contexts rather than everyday speech.
You might see it in phrases like 滄海 (cāng hǎi, vast sea) or 滄桑 (cāng sāng, changes of the sea).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 滄?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
