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筇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
筇qióngbamboo staffg, 11 strokes, radical ⺮
筇qióng(in ancient texts) type of bamboo sometimes used as a staffunknown, 11 strokes, radical ⺮
qióng(qiong2) T2
  1. 1bamboo staff
  2. 2(in ancient texts) type of bamboo sometimes used as a staff
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

筇qióng(qiong2)

The character 筇 (qióng) refers to a bamboo staff, often used in ancient texts to denote a type of bamboo that is particularly suitable for making such staffs. It carries historical significance in traditional Chinese practices, including martial arts and outdoor activities where bamboo tools were essential.

Strokes11Radical⺮
Cultural Note

Bamboo has deep cultural significance in China, symbolizing resilience and adaptability. The bamboo staff represented by 筇 is often associated with traditional Chinese martial arts and outdoor pursuits, reflecting the harmony between nature and human activities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall, slender bamboo staff standing upright. The character 筇 looks like a combination of a bamboo plant (竹) and a tool (工), representing its use as a staff. Picture a warrior wielding this bamboo staff for balance and strength while traversing through dense forests.

Meanings of 筇

qióng(qiong2)
1bamboo staff
2(in ancient texts) type of bamboo sometimes used as a staff
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 筇

筇Simplified
11Strokes
⺮Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 筇

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Podcast: 筇

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AI Study Notes for 筇

Usage Notes

While 筇 is not commonly used in modern conversation, it appears in literary contexts discussing traditional practices. Learners might confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 琼 (qióng), which means 'precious jade.' Focus on using it in historical or descriptive contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 筇 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to nature and tools (like 竹 - bamboo). Focus on recognizing its usage in ancient texts and understanding its role in Chinese heritage.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 筇 with similar characters due to the pronunciation. For instance, misusing it in a sentence about modern tools would be incorrect; instead, focus on its historical context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 筇

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Etymology of 筇

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

bamboo

Semantic (meaning)⺮
+
Phonetic (sound)邛
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 筇

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half邛 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybamboo
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 筇? 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 筇?

Decomposition of 筇

IDS Structure⿱⺮邛
筇Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
邛qiong2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 筇?

How to say bamboo staff in Chinese

“bamboo staff” in Chinese is筇qióng

The character 筇 (qióng) refers to a bamboo staff, often used in ancient texts to denote a type of bamboo that is particularly suitable for making such staffs. It carries historical significance in traditional Chinese practices, including martial arts and outdoor activities where bamboo tools were essential.

When to use 筇

While 筇 is not commonly used in modern conversation, it appears in literary contexts discussing traditional practices. Learners might confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 琼 (qióng), which means 'precious jade.' Focus on using it in historical or descriptive contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 筇 with similar characters due to the pronunciation. For instance, misusing it in a sentence about modern tools would be incorrect; instead, focus on its historical context.

Write 筇

筇

Practice writing 筇 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 筇

Words Containing This Character1
筇qióng(in ancient texts) type of bamboo sometimes used as a staff
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 筇 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 筇

In modern usage, 筇 is rarely used and primarily appears in historical or literary texts.

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