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琮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
琮cóngan octagonal jade ornamentg, 12 strokes, radical 王
琮cóngsurname Congunknown, 12 strokes, radical 王
cóng(Cong2)cong T2
  1. 1an octagonal jade ornament
Also a Chinese surname, Cong — see the Surname Dictionary
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March 24, 2026

琮cóng(Cong2)

琮 (cóng) refers to an octagonal jade ornament that is often associated with ancient Chinese rituals and burial practices. This character is also a surname in China, though its use as a name is less common than its meaning as an object of cultural significance.

Strokes12Radical王
Cultural note

In ancient China, jade was highly valued not just for its beauty but also for its association with purity and moral integrity, making琮 an important item in rituals and burials, symbolizing nobility and spirituality.

Memory tip

Imagine a precious jade ornament shaped like an octagon, shimmering with a bright green hue. The shape of the character 琮 can remind you of the multi-faceted nature of the jade, with the top part (玉) representing jade and the bottom part (宗) hinting at something revered or significant.

Meanings of 琮

cóng(Cong2)
1an octagonal jade ornament
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 琮

琮Simplified
12Strokes
王Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 琮

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Podcast: 琮

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AI Study Notes for 琮

Usage Notes

琮 is primarily used in formal contexts related to art, archaeology, or cultural discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters; always make sure to pay attention to the context in which it is used to avoid misinterpretation. Note that it may not be widely recognized outside of specific cultural discussions.

HSK Study Tips

琮 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, but it is relevant for advanced learners interested in Chinese history and culture. Students should focus on similar characters related to jade (玉) and cultural artifacts to build a broader understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 琮 with similar characters like 璧 or 珠, which also relate to jade or precious stones. Remember, 琮 specifically refers to the octagonal jade ornament, while the others refer to different types of jade or gems.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 琮

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Etymology of 琮

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

jade

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

Origin

琮 = 王 + 宗. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 琮

IDS Structure⿰王宗
琮Full character
=
王Wang2
left
宗Zong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 琮?

How to say an octagonal jade ornament in Chinese

“an octagonal jade ornament” in Chinese is琮cóng

琮 (cóng) refers to an octagonal jade ornament that is often associated with ancient Chinese rituals and burial practices. This character is also a surname in China, though its use as a name is less common than its meaning as an object of cultural significance.

When to use 琮

琮 is primarily used in formal contexts related to art, archaeology, or cultural discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters; always make sure to pay attention to the context in which it is used to avoid misinterpretation. Note that it may not be widely recognized outside of specific cultural discussions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 琮 with similar characters like 璧 or 珠, which also relate to jade or precious stones. Remember, 琮 specifically refers to the octagonal jade ornament, while the others refer to different types of jade or gems.

Write 琮

琮

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

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Word Family of 琮

Words containing this character1
琮cóngsurname Cong

Frequently Asked Questions about 琮

琮 is significant as it represents both an important cultural artifact and a symbol of status and spirituality in ancient China.

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