Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
荊jīng(jing1)
The character 荊 (jīng) primarily refers to thorns or brambles, often used in botanical contexts or to describe something that is difficult to navigate through. Additionally, it can serve as a surname in China, indicating its cultural significance beyond its literal meaning.
Strokes10Radical艹
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, 荊 refers to the thorny plants found in rural areas, which symbolize struggle and resilience. Such plants are often mentioned in poetry to convey the beauty of nature despite its challenges.
Memory Tip
Imagine a jungle where you are stuck in brambles (荊) - the sharp thorns (荊) are so prickly that you can't move! The character has the radical '艸' (grass), which hints at its connection to plants and nature, while the pronunciation 'jīng' can remind you of a sharp sting from a thorn.
Meanings of 荊
jīng(jing1)
1thorns, brambles; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 荊
荊Simplified
10Strokes
艹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 荊
Podcast: 荊
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 荊
Usage Notes
When using 荊, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters. It is more common in literary or formal contexts when describing nature. Collocations include 荊棘 (jīng jí), meaning 'thorns,' where 荊 emphasizes the thorny aspect of the concept.
HSK Study Tips
While 荊 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, students should focus on mastering its radicals and components. Understanding 荊 can deepen knowledge of related characters, especially those involving plants or nature, which often appear in HSK materials.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 荊 with similar characters like 景 (jǐng, scenery) due to their phonetic similarities. Remember, 荊 relates to thorns, while 景 relates to views or landscapes.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 荊
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 荊 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 荊? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Decomposition of 荊
IDS Structure⿱艹刑
荊Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
刑Xing2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 荊?
How to say thorns, brambles; surname in Chinese
“thorns, brambles; surname” in Chinese is荊jīng
The character 荊 (jīng) primarily refers to thorns or brambles, often used in botanical contexts or to describe something that is difficult to navigate through. Additionally, it can serve as a surname in China, indicating its cultural significance beyond its literal meaning.
When to use 荊
When using 荊, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters. It is more common in literary or formal contexts when describing nature. Collocations include 荊棘 (jīng jí), meaning 'thorns,' where 荊 emphasizes the thorny aspect of the concept.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 荊 with similar characters like 景 (jǐng, scenery) due to their phonetic similarities. Remember, 荊 relates to thorns, while 景 relates to views or landscapes.
Write 荊
荊
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 荊 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 荊
Words Containing This Character15
荆棘jīngjíbrambles荊棘
荆jīngchaste tree or berry (Vitex agnus-castus)荊
荆州Jingzhou prefecture-level city on Changjiang in Hubei荊州
披荆斩棘to break through hardships披荊斬棘
紫荆Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis)紫荊
负荆请罪fig. to offer sb a humble apology負荊請罪
荆门Jingmen prefecture-level city in Hubei荊門
荆轲Jing Ke (-227 BC), celebrated in verse and fiction as would-be assassin of King Ying Zheng of Qin 秦嬴政 (later the First Emperor 秦始皇)荊軻
荆州市Jingzhou prefecture-level city on Changjiang in Hubei荊州市
荆江Jingjiang section of the Changjiang River 長江|长江, Hunan荊江
荆门市Jingmen prefecture-level city in Hubei荊門市
荆山Mt Jingshan in Hubei荊山
荆州区Jingzhou district of Jingzhou city 荊州市|荆州市[Jīngzhōushì], Hubei荊州區
问荆field horsetail (Equisetum arvense)問荊
荆棘载途lit. a path covered in brambles荊棘載途
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 荆棘 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 荊
No, 荊 is more often found in literary works or specific contexts rather than in daily speech.
Yes, it can metaphorically describe difficult situations or challenges, similar to how thorns can represent obstacles.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 荊?
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.
