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March 24, 2026
糧liáng(liang2)
The character 糧 (liáng) refers to food, particularly grain and provisions used for sustenance. It is often used in contexts related to agriculture, nutrition, and food supply, indicating essential resources for survival.
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Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, grain is considered a staple and is deeply tied to agricultural traditions. Festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival often celebrate the harvest of grains, highlighting their importance in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Think of 糧 (liáng) as a grain field: the top part of the character resembles a stalk of grain, while the bottom part suggests a container holding this essential food. Imagine a farmer gathering grains to feed their family, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 糧
liáng(liang2)
1food, grain, provisions
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 糧
糧Simplified
18Strokes
米Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
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Podcast: 糧
Podcast: 糧
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AI Study Notes for 糧
Quick Contrast
粮 (liáng) vs 食 (shí) — use 糧 (liáng) for grain and provisions, while 食 (shí) refers more broadly to food or eating.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 糧 (liáng) as a grain field: the top part of the character resembles a stalk of grain, while the bottom part suggests a container holding this essential food. Imagine a farmer gathering grains to feed their family, reinforcing both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 糧 is more formal and is often used in written contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include 糧食 (liángshí, meaning 'grain/food') and 糧草 (liángcǎo, meaning 'fodder'). Also, ensure you use the correct third tone when pronouncing this character.
HSK Study Tips
As 糧 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should relate it to other food-related words, such as 食 (shí, food) and 饭 (fàn, rice/meal). Focus on the concept of sustenance and how it connects to daily life in China.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, grain is considered a staple and is deeply tied to agricultural traditions. Festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival often celebrate the harvest of grains, highlighting their importance in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 糧 with 食, using it interchangeably in casual conversation. Instead, remember 糧 is more formal and specific to grains, while 食 is used for food in general.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 糧
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Cultural Notes for 糧
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, grain is considered a staple and is deeply tied to agricultural traditions. Festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival often celebrate the harvest of grains, highlighting their importance in Chinese society.
Word Family of 糧
Words Containing This Character20
粮食liángshifoodstuff糧食
粮liánggrain糧
口粮ration口糧
粗粮coarse grains (maize, sorghum etc)粗糧
粮仓granary糧倉
干粮rations (to take on expedition)乾糧
粮草army provisions糧草
食粮food cereals食糧
粮票coupons for food or grain used in a PRC economic program c. 1955-1993糧票
弹尽粮绝out of ammunition and no food left (idiom); in desperate straits彈盡糧絕
五粮液Wuliangye liquor五糧液
军粮army provisions軍糧
杂粮grain crops other than rice and wheat雜糧
余粮surplus grain餘糧
皇粮lit. imperial funding for troops皇糧
公粮tax paid in grain公糧
商品粮commodity grain (grain produced as a commodity rather than for self-sufficiency)商品糧
钱粮land tax錢糧
储备粮grain reserves儲備糧
粮店grain store糧店
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 粮食 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 糧
No, 糧 is more commonly found in written texts and formal discussions about food supplies.
糧 refers specifically to grains and provisions, while 食 is a broader term for food in general.
It's best to use 糧 when discussing traditional or staple foods, as modern foods are more likely to be referred to with 食.
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