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March 24, 2026
肠(腸)cháng(chang2)
The character 肠 (cháng) primarily refers to intestines, which are tubular organs in the digestive system. It can also denote emotions in a more literary or poetic context, as well as being associated with certain types of sausage. In culinary terms, it is often used when discussing dishes that include intestines as an ingredient.
Strokes7Radical⺼Frequency#7240DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, dishes that include intestines, like '炒肠' (stir-fried intestines), are considered delicacies in some regions, especially in southern China. This reflects a cultural openness to various food ingredients that might be less favored in Western diets.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long, winding 'cháng' (肠) that resembles the intestines. Visualize these intestines filled with emotions, like a balloon ready to burst. The character has the radical 肉 (meat) on the left, reminding you that intestines are a type of meat, while the right part sounds like 'cháng', making it easier to remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 肠
cháng(chang2)
1intestines
2intestines; emotions; sausage
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 肠
肠Simplified
腸Traditional
7Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7240Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 肠
Podcast: 肠
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AI Study Notes for 肠
Quick Contrast
肠 (intestines) vs 脏 (organs) — use 肠 specifically for intestines, while 脏 refers more broadly to internal organs.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a long, winding 'cháng' (肠) that resembles the intestines. Visualize these intestines filled with emotions, like a balloon ready to burst. The character has the radical 肉 (meat) on the left, reminding you that intestines are a type of meat, while the right part sounds like 'cháng', making it easier to remember the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 肠, as it can refer to both literal and metaphorical meanings. In culinary contexts, it is common to see it paired with words like '肠粉' (chángfěn, rice noodle roll) or '香肠' (xiāngcháng, sausage). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 常 (cháng), which means 'often'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 肠 is not in the HSK levels, it connects well with other food-related vocabulary. Students should focus on differentiating it from similar characters and practicing its use in context, especially in discussions about food and health.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, dishes that include intestines, like '炒肠' (stir-fried intestines), are considered delicacies in some regions, especially in southern China. This reflects a cultural openness to various food ingredients that might be less favored in Western diets.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 肠 with the character 常 (cháng), which means 'often'. For example, saying '我常吃肠' (I often eat intestines) when they mean 'I often eat' can lead to misunderstandings. The correct form should clarify the context, like '我常吃香肠' (I often eat sausage).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 肠
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Grammar Patterns of 肠
肠 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
5 5 wèi xìng cún zhě zuì zhōng dào dá ān quán zhī dì shí yǐ jīng yī shān lán、 lǚ 、 jī cháng、 lù lù 、 jīng。
The five survivors eventually reached safety, ragged, half-starved and exhausted.
Cultural Notes for 肠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, dishes that include intestines, like '炒肠' (stir-fried intestines), are considered delicacies in some regions, especially in southern China. This reflects a cultural openness to various food ingredients that might be less favored in Western diets.
Word Family of 肠
Words Containing This Character20
肠chángintestines腸
香肠xiāngchángsausage香腸
肠道gut腸道
肠子intestines腸子
肠胃digestive system腸胃
大肠the large intestine大腸
心肠xīnchángheart心腸
结肠colon (large intestine)結腸
腊肠sausage臘腸
直肠rectum (anatomy)直腸
小肠small intestine小腸
灌肠enema灌腸
十二指肠duodenum十二指腸
大肠杆菌Escherichia coli (E. coli)大腸桿菌
铁石心肠hard-hearted鐵石心腸
肠炎enteritis腸炎
空肠jejunum (empty gut, middle segment of small intestine between duodenum 十二指腸|十二指肠[shí'èrzhǐcháng] and ileum 回腸|回肠[huícháng])空腸
饥肠辘辘stomach rumbling with hunger飢腸轆轆
热心肠warmhearted熱心腸
盲肠cecum盲腸
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 肠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 肠
Common dishes include '肠粉' (rice noodle rolls) and '香肠' (sausage), both popular in Chinese cuisine.
Yes, it can be used in expressions related to emotions, highlighting the connection between physical and emotional states.
It is pronounced as 'cháng', with a rising tone, similar to the way you would say 'long' in English.
