Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
芗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
芗xiāngfragrant, aromatic; the smell of herbsns, 6 strokes, radical 艹
芗xiāngaromatic herb used for seasoningunknown, 6 strokes, radical 艹
xiāng(xiang1)xiang T1
  1. 1fragrant, aromatic; the smell of herbs
  2. 2aromatic herb used for seasoning
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

芗(薌)xiāng(xiang1)

The character 芗 (xiāng) refers to something that is fragrant or aromatic, often in the context of herbs used for seasoning. It is commonly associated with pleasant smells, particularly those derived from plants, and can also indicate a type of aromatic herb that enhances the flavor of dishes.

Strokes6Radical艹
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine, the use of aromatic herbs like 芗 is significant for flavor enhancement and health benefits. Many Chinese dishes rely on these fragrant herbs to create complex flavor profiles.

Memory tip

Imagine a garden filled with aromatic herbs. The character 芗 resembles a plant with its radical (艹) at the top, symbolizing vegetation. Picture the smell of these herbs wafting through the air, helping you remember that 芗 (xiāng) relates to fragrance.

Meanings of 芗

xiāng(xiang1)
1fragrant, aromatic; the smell of herbs
2aromatic herb used for seasoning
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 芗 means.

About 芗

芗Simplified
薌Traditional
6Strokes
艹Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 芗

JasonAmy

Podcast: 芗

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 芗

Usage Notes

While 芗 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it appears in culinary contexts or discussions about herbal remedies. Be cautious not to confuse it with 香 (xiāng), which is more frequently used to denote fragrance in general. The tone must be pronounced correctly as xiāng to convey the right meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 芗 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it complements other words related to fragrance and aroma, such as 香 (xiāng). Focus on recognizing its usage in specific contexts, especially when discussing food or traditional medicine.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 芗 (xiāng) with 香 (xiāng) due to their similar pronunciations and meanings. For example, saying '我喜欢这个香味的芗' (I like this fragrant xiāng) is incorrect; '香味' should be used instead of '芗' in this context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 芗

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 芗 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 芗 to you

Let me explain 芗 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 芗 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 芗?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 芗 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 芗

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

herb

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)乡
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

芗 = 艹 + 乡. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 芗

IDS Structure⿱艹乡
芗Full character
=
艹cao3
top
乡xiang1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 芗?

How to say fragrant, aromatic; the smell of herbs in Chinese

“fragrant, aromatic; the smell of herbs” in Chinese is芗xiāng

The character 芗 (xiāng) refers to something that is fragrant or aromatic, often in the context of herbs used for seasoning. It is commonly associated with pleasant smells, particularly those derived from plants, and can also indicate a type of aromatic herb that enhances the flavor of dishes.

When to use 芗

While 芗 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it appears in culinary contexts or discussions about herbal remedies. Be cautious not to confuse it with 香 (xiāng), which is more frequently used to denote fragrance in general. The tone must be pronounced correctly as xiāng to convey the right meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 芗 (xiāng) with 香 (xiāng) due to their similar pronunciations and meanings. For example, saying '我喜欢这个香味的芗' (I like this fragrant xiāng) is incorrect; '香味' should be used instead of '芗' in this context.

Write 芗

芗

Practice writing 芗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 芗?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 芗

Words containing this character3
芗xiāngfragrant薌
芗剧variety of opera popular in southern Fujian and Taiwan薌劇
芗城区Xiangcheng district of Zhangzhou city 漳州市[Zhāng​zhōu​shì], Fujian薌城區
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 芗

What does 芗剧 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 芗

The correct pronunciation is 'xiāng' with a high level tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 芗?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab