unknown, 7 strokes, radical 用, rank #77913, Very Hard
甬
tǒng
abbr. for Ningbo
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 用, rank #77913, Very Hard
tǒng(tong3)
primary
T3
1path; river in Ningbo; Ningbo
2the Yongjiang river 甬江[Yong3 jiang1] through Ningbo 寧波|宁波[Ning2 bo1]
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March 24, 2026
甬tǒng(tong3)
The character 甬 (tǒng) primarily refers to a path or a specific river associated with the city of Ningbo. It can denote the Yongjiang River that flows through Ningbo, and in some contexts, it serves as an abbreviation for the city itself. Additionally, 甬 can also function as a variant of 桶 (tǒng), meaning 'bucket'.
Strokes7Radical用Frequency#77913DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, Ningbo is known for its rich maritime history and economic significance, especially in trade. The Yongjiang River is an important waterway that has shaped the development of the region, making 甬 a character closely tied to the identity of Ningbo.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'path' leading to a 'bucket' by the river. The character 甬 looks like a 'Y' shape representing a path, while the bottom part resembles a container. Picture yourself walking along a path to fill a bucket in the river, which helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 甬
tǒng(tong3)
primary
1path; river in Ningbo; Ningbo
2the Yongjiang river 甬江[Yong3 jiang1] through Ningbo 寧波|宁波[Ning2 bo1]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 甬
甬Simplified
7Strokes
用Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 甬
Podcast: 甬
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AI Study Notes for 甬
Usage Notes
This character is more commonly used in specific contexts related to geography and local culture, so it may not be familiar in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with 桶 (tǒng) when discussing containers. Additionally, the character is often used in more formal settings when referencing Ningbo or the Yongjiang River.
HSK Study Tips
Although 甬 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other level-appropriate words related to geography and location. Students should focus on recognizing it in cultural or geographical discussions, enhancing their understanding of place names in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 甬 with 桶, mistakenly using 甬 when they mean 'bucket', as in '我需要一个甬' instead of '我需要一个桶'. Make sure to differentiate between the two by remembering their specific meanings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 甬
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Originally depicted a bell. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
1The sound half用 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
2On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 甬? 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 甬?
Decomposition of 甬
IDS Structure⿱？用
甬Full Character
=
用yong4
top
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 甬?
How to say path; river in Ningbo; Ningbo in Chinese
“path; river in Ningbo; Ningbo” in Chinese is甬yǒng
The character 甬 (tǒng) primarily refers to a path or a specific river associated with the city of Ningbo. It can denote the Yongjiang River that flows through Ningbo, and in some contexts, it serves as an abbreviation for the city itself. Additionally, 甬 can also function as a variant of 桶 (tǒng), meaning 'bucket'.
When to use 甬
This character is more commonly used in specific contexts related to geography and local culture, so it may not be familiar in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with 桶 (tǒng) when discussing containers. Additionally, the character is often used in more formal settings when referencing Ningbo or the Yongjiang River.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 甬 with 桶, mistakenly using 甬 when they mean 'bucket', as in '我需要一个甬' instead of '我需要一个桶'. Make sure to differentiate between the two by remembering their specific meanings.
Write 甬
甬
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Practice writing 甬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 甬
Words Containing This Character2
甬道walled-in path
甬tǒngabbr. for Ningbo
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 甬道 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 甬
甬 refers to the Yongjiang River that runs through Ningbo and is also an abbreviation for the city.
No, 甬 is used more in formal or geographical contexts, especially when discussing Ningbo.
It is pronounced as 'tǒng', with a falling tone, so make sure to emphasize the tone while practicing.
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