Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
蓬péng(Peng2)
The character 蓬 (péng) primarily refers to a surname, but it can also denote fleabane, a type of plant. In certain contexts, it describes a state of being disheveled or unkempt. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for luxuriant plants or puffs of smoke, ashes, or campfires.
Strokes13Radical艹Frequency#12097DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the fleabane plant (蓬) is noted for its medicinal properties, connecting the character to practices in herbal medicine that have been part of Chinese culture for centuries.
Memory tip
Imagine a messy garden (蓬) where plants grow wildly; the disheveled appearance is reminiscent of hair in a 'puff' (péng). The character features the radical for 'plant' (艹) on top, indicating its connection to nature and growth.
Meanings of 蓬
péng(Peng2)
1fleabane (family Asteraceae)
2disheveled
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 蓬 means.
About 蓬
蓬Simplified
13Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#12097Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蓬
Podcast: 蓬
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 蓬
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 蓬 (péng) with similar-sounding words. It's typically used in formal contexts when referring to the plant or surname. Common collocations include '蓬头' (péng tóu) meaning disheveled hair.
HSK Study Tips
While 蓬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK Level 3 and above words related to plants and nature. Focus on recognizing the character in botanical contexts and its usage in surnames.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蓬 (péng) with similar characters like 朋 (péng), meaning 'friend.' For example, saying '我的朋蓬' is incorrect; it should be '我的朋友' (wǒ de péngyǒu) for 'my friend.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蓬
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 蓬, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 蓬 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 蓬?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 蓬 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.
蓬 = 艹 + 逢. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 蓬
IDS Structure⿱艹逢
蓬Full character
=
艹cao3
top
逢feng2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 蓬?
How to say surname Peng in Chinese
“surname Peng” in Chinese is蓬péng
The character 蓬 (péng) primarily refers to a surname, but it can also denote fleabane, a type of plant. In certain contexts, it describes a state of being disheveled or unkempt. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for luxuriant plants or puffs of smoke, ashes, or campfires.
When to use 蓬
Be cautious not to confuse 蓬 (péng) with similar-sounding words. It's typically used in formal contexts when referring to the plant or surname. Common collocations include '蓬头' (péng tóu) meaning disheveled hair.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蓬 (péng) with similar characters like 朋 (péng), meaning 'friend.' For example, saying '我的朋蓬' is incorrect; it should be '我的朋友' (wǒ de péngyǒu) for 'my friend.'
Write 蓬
蓬
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 蓬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 蓬
蓬 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 5 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.
特迪用自己的粗手指头捋了一下浓密____乱的头发。
Teddy ran thick fingers through his unruly thatch of hair.
Example sentences for 蓬 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
特迪用自己的粗手指头捋了一下浓密蓬乱的头发。
tè dí yòng zìjǐ de cū shǒuzhǐ tóu lǚ le yíxià nóng mì péng luàn de tóufa。
Teddy ran thick fingers through his unruly thatch of hair.
