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March 24, 2026
膨péng(peng2)
The character 膨 (péng) refers to the state of being swollen, bloated, or inflated. It is commonly used to describe physical objects that have expanded in size, such as a balloon or a swollen body part. In a metaphorical sense, it can also describe something that has become exaggerated or overly inflated in importance or value.
Strokes16Radical⺼Frequency#30774DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese medicine, swelling can be associated with various imbalances in the body, and the concept of '膨' may often appear in discussions about health and wellness. This aligns with the cultural emphasis on physical health and balance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a balloon that has been filled with too much air and is about to pop. The character 膨 has a radical that resembles the fleshy part of the body (月), suggesting something swollen or inflated. Connect 'péng' with the idea of 'plump' to remember its meaning.
Meanings of 膨
péng(peng2)
1swollen
2bloated, inflated, swollen; to swell
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 膨 means.
About 膨
膨Simplified
16Strokes
⺼Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#30774Frequency Rank
Podcast: 膨
Podcast: 膨
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AI Study Notes for 膨
Quick Contrast
膨 (péng) vs 扩 (kuò): Use 膨 when describing something that is swollen or inflated, while 扩 is used for the act of expanding or enlarging without the connotation of swelling.
Usage Notes
膨 is typically used in informal contexts when describing physical conditions or objects. Be mindful of its tone, as using the wrong tone could lead to misunderstandings. Common collocations include 膨胀 (péngzhàng), meaning 'to expand' or 'to swell'.
HSK Study Tips
膨 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, but it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 膜 (mó, membrane) and 肥 (féi, fat) in discussing physical conditions. Focus on recognizing it in context, especially when reading about health or physical descriptions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 膨 (péng) with 膨胀 (péngzhàng), using them interchangeably. Remember that 膨 describes the state of being swollen, while 膨胀 specifically refers to the action of swelling or expanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 膨
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How Well Do You Know 膨?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 膨 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
膨 = ⺼ + 彭. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 膨
IDS Structure⿰⺼彭
膨Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
彭Peng2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 膨?
How to say swollen in Chinese
“swollen” in Chinese is膨péng
The character 膨 (péng) refers to the state of being swollen, bloated, or inflated. It is commonly used to describe physical objects that have expanded in size, such as a balloon or a swollen body part. In a metaphorical sense, it can also describe something that has become exaggerated or overly inflated in importance or value.
When to use 膨
膨 is typically used in informal contexts when describing physical conditions or objects. Be mindful of its tone, as using the wrong tone could lead to misunderstandings. Common collocations include 膨胀 (péngzhàng), meaning 'to expand' or 'to swell'.
膨 or something close to it
膨 (péng) vs 扩 (kuò): Use 膨 when describing something that is swollen or inflated, while 扩 is used for the act of expanding or enlarging without the connotation of swelling.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 膨 (péng) with 膨胀 (péngzhàng), using them interchangeably. Remember that 膨 describes the state of being swollen, while 膨胀 specifically refers to the action of swelling or expanding.
Write 膨
膨
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Practice writing 膨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 膨
膨 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
通货____胀的下降是长期经济衰退中的一线转机。
The fall in inflation is the silver lining of the prolonged recession.
Example Sentences for 膨 (10)
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1
通货膨胀的下降是长期经济衰退中的一线转机。
tōng huò péng zhàng de xià jiàng shì cháng qī jīng jì shuāi tuì zhōng de yī xiàn zhuǎn jī。
The fall in inflation is the silver lining of the prolonged recession.
