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March 24, 2026
眚shěng(sheng3)
The character 眚 (shěng) primarily refers to a cataract, which is a medical condition affecting the eye, resulting in blurred vision. Additionally, it can denote faults, errors, or crimes, emphasizing mistakes or shortcomings. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in medical contexts or literary works discussing moral failings.
Strokes10Radical目Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eyes are often associated with clarity and perception. Discussing cataracts can be linked to traditional beliefs about health and the importance of clear vision in both a physical and metaphorical sense, as clarity of thought is highly valued.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 眚 as two eyes (the top part) looking at something wrong (the bottom part looks like a mistake). Imagine a person squinting through a cataract, trying to see clearly but noticing errors in their vision, which helps you remember that shěng relates to vision problems and faults.
Meanings of 眚
shěng(sheng3)
1cataract; fault, error, crime
2cataract of the eye
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 眚
眚Simplified
10Strokes
目Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 眚
Podcast: 眚
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AI Study Notes for 眚
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 眚 as two eyes (the top part) looking at something wrong (the bottom part looks like a mistake). Imagine a person squinting through a cataract, trying to see clearly but noticing errors in their vision, which helps you remember that shěng relates to vision problems and faults.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 眚 with similar characters like 省 (shěng, to save or to economize), leading to misunderstandings. This word is generally formal and can be used in medical contexts or discussions about morality. Pay attention to the third tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation can alter meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 眚 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to the broader themes of health (related to eye conditions) and moral discussions. Students should focus on distinguishing it from similar-sounding characters and understanding its specific medical and ethical contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eyes are often associated with clarity and perception. Discussing cataracts can be linked to traditional beliefs about health and the importance of clear vision in both a physical and metaphorical sense, as clarity of thought is highly valued.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 眚 with 省 (shěng) due to similar pronunciation and visual resemblance. For example, saying '我有眚' (wǒ yǒu shěng) to mean 'I save' is incorrect; use '我有省' instead for saving.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 眚
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Cultural Notes for 眚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, eyes are often associated with clarity and perception. Discussing cataracts can be linked to traditional beliefs about health and the importance of clear vision in both a physical and metaphorical sense, as clarity of thought is highly valued.
Word Family of 眚
Words Containing This Character1
眚shěngerror
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 眚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 眚
In medical terms, 眚 refers to a cataract, which is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.
It's not commonly used in everyday conversation; it typically appears in more formal or literary contexts.
Focus on the context: 眚 relates to vision problems and errors, while characters like 省 (shěng) relate to saving or economizing.
