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March 24, 2026
訟sòng(song4)
The character 訟 (sòng) refers to the act of arguing or disputing, often in a legal context such as litigation. It conveys a sense of formal accusation or conflict, typically associated with disagreements that may require resolution through official channels.
Strokes11Radical言Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In China, the concept of litigation (诉讼) is deeply intertwined with the Confucian value of harmony, which often discourages public disputes, making the use of 訟 significant in understanding conflict resolution in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a courtroom where two people are 'saying' (the radical 说) their sides of the argument. The character 訟 looks like a person (the left part) standing at a podium (the right part) arguing their case, connecting the form to its meaning of dispute.
Meanings of 訟
sòng(song4)
1to accuse, to argue; to dispute, to litigate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 訟
訟Simplified
11Strokes
言Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 訟
Podcast: 訟
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AI Study Notes for 訟
Quick Contrast
诉 (sù) - use 訟 (sòng) when emphasizing a formal dispute or argument, while 诉 (sù) focuses more on the act of suing or filing a complaint.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a courtroom where two people are 'saying' (the radical 说) their sides of the argument. The character 訟 looks like a person (the left part) standing at a podium (the right part) arguing their case, connecting the form to its meaning of dispute.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 訟 with similar sounding characters, especially in tones. This word is more formal and should be used in legal contexts rather than casual conversations. Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Though 訟 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with legal vocabulary commonly found in the HSK 5 and 6 levels. Students should focus on its usage in legal contexts and collocations with other legal terms.
Cultural Note
In China, the concept of litigation (诉讼) is deeply intertwined with the Confucian value of harmony, which often discourages public disputes, making the use of 訟 significant in understanding conflict resolution in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 訟 with 送 (sòng - to deliver), leading to misinterpretation. For example, saying '我去送他去法院' (Wǒ qù sòng tā qù fǎyuàn - I'm going to deliver him to the court) instead of '我去诉讼他' (Wǒ qù sùsòng tā - I'm going to litigate against him) can change the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 訟
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Cultural Notes for 訟
🏮Cultural insight
In China, the concept of litigation (诉讼) is deeply intertwined with the Confucian value of harmony, which often discourages public disputes, making the use of 訟 significant in understanding conflict resolution in Chinese society.
Word Family of 訟
Words Containing This Character10
诉讼sùsònglawsuit訴訟
讼sònglitigation訟
民事诉讼common plea民事訴訟
刑事诉讼法criminal procedure刑事訴訟法
诉讼法procedural law訴訟法
讼案lawsuit訟案
涉讼to be involved in a lawsuit涉訟
听讼to hear a case聽訟
聚讼纷纭to argue endlessly聚訟紛紜
包揽词讼to canvas for lawsuits (idiom); to practice chicanery包攬詞訟
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 诉讼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 訟
Some common phrases include '诉讼' (sùsòng - to litigate) and '争讼' (zhēngsòng - to dispute).
No, 訟 is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in legal discussions.
It is pronounced with a falling tone, like 'sòng'.
