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March 24, 2026
象xiàng(xiang4)
The character 象 (xiàng) primarily means 'elephant,' which is a significant animal in Chinese culture symbolizing wisdom and strength. It also refers to 'shape' or 'form,' commonly used in contexts involving appearance or imitation, such as artistic representations.
Strokes11Radical豕Frequency#647DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, elephants are often seen in art and folklore, representing good fortune and wisdom. They are less common in daily life but are revered within traditional stories and symbols, often associated with Buddhism.
Memory Tip
Imagine an elephant (象) using its trunk to draw the outline of its shape in the sand. The character resembles an elephant, with the left side symbolizing its large body and the right side hinting at its trunk. You can remember the pronunciation 'xiàng' by thinking of an elephant's 'sang' (a playful twist) as it trumpets.
Meanings of 象
xiàng(xiang4)
1elephant
2shape
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 象
象Simplified
11Strokes
豕Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#647Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 象
Podcast: 象
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AI Study Notes for 象
Quick Contrast
象 (xiàng) vs 形 (xíng) — use 象 when referring specifically to 'elephant' or the symbolic meaning of 'shape' in a broader cultural context, while 形 is used for 'form' or 'shape' in a more technical or general sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an elephant (象) using its trunk to draw the outline of its shape in the sand. The character resembles an elephant, with the left side symbolizing its large body and the right side hinting at its trunk. You can remember the pronunciation 'xiàng' by thinking of an elephant's 'sang' (a playful twist) as it trumpets.
Usage Notes
Be cautious about using 象 in formal contexts; it can sound too casual when discussing serious topics. Common collocations include '象形' (xiàng xíng, pictographic) and '象征' (xiàng zhēng, symbolize). Ensure you use the correct tone; 'xiàng' (4th tone) means 'to resemble,' while 'xiàng' (neutral tone) refers to the 'elephant.'
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the HSK levels, 象 connects with other vocabulary about animals and shapes. Focus on its different meanings and practice using it in sentences that describe physical forms or comparisons.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, elephants are often seen in art and folklore, representing good fortune and wisdom. They are less common in daily life but are revered within traditional stories and symbols, often associated with Buddhism.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 象 with 乡 (xiāng, village) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 象 specifically refers to 'elephant' or 'shape,' while 乡 relates to rural areas. Another common mistake is using incorrect tones; be careful not to mix them up, as it changes the meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 象
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Grammar Patterns of 象
象 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 7 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.
It was an art in which words were subordinate to images.
9
这是一种有趣的科学现象，但没什么实用价值。
zhè shì yī zhǒng yǒu qù de kē xué xiàn xiàng， ， dàn méi shí mó shí yòng jià。
It's an interesting scientific phenomenon, but of no practical use whatever.
10
这是一部气势恢宏、引人入胜的电影，充满了动人心魄的瑰丽意象。
zhè shì yī bù qì shì huī hóng、 、 yǐn rén rù shèng de diàn， yǐng ， chōng mǎn le dòng rén xīn pò de guī lì。
This is an ambitious and intriguing movie, full of striking imagery.
Cultural Notes for 象
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, elephants symbolize wisdom and good luck. They are often seen in art and folklore as protectors.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, elephants are often seen in art and folklore, representing good fortune and wisdom. They are less common in daily life but are revered within traditional stories and symbols, often associated with Buddhism.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While elephants symbolize strength and wisdom in both Chinese and Western cultures, in the West, they are sometimes considered humorous or clumsy, whereas in China, they carry a more reverent and auspicious connotation.
Word Family of 象
Compounds10
像xiang4to resemble
豫Yu4abbr. for Henan province 河南 in central China
橡xiang4oak
蟓xiang4silkworm
勨
嶑
潒
襐
鐌
鱌
Words Containing This Character20
象xiàngelephant
想象xiǎngxiàngto imagine
现象xiànxiàngphenomenon現象
对象duìxiàngtarget對象
形象xíngxiàngimage
印象yìnxiàngimpression
迹象jìxiàngmark跡象
象征xiàngzhēngemblem象徵
气象qìxiàngmeteorology氣象
大象dàxiàngelephant
景象jǐngxiàngscene
抽象chōuxiàngabstract
想象力imagination
气象台meteorological office氣象台
假象facade
幻象illusion
象棋xiàngqíChinese chess
国际象棋chess國際象棋
象牙ivory
表象idea
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 像 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 象
象 (xiàng) refers to an elephant or a shape, while 影 (yǐng) means 'shadow' or 'image.' Though both can relate to forms or appearances, they have distinct usages in the language. Understanding these differences can help clarify your usage in conversation.
Yes, 象 is often used in idiomatic expressions in Chinese. For example, '象形文字' (xiàng xíng wén zì) refers to 'pictographs,' which are characters that resemble the objects they represent. These expressions highlight the versatility of the character in the language.
象 (xiàng) has several meanings in Chinese. It primarily translates to 'elephant' but can also mean 'shape,' 'form,' or 'appearance.' Additionally, it can be used as a verb meaning 'to imitate.'
象 can be used in various contexts. For example, you can say '我看到一只象' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī xiàng) which means 'I saw an elephant.' If using it to mean 'to imitate,' you might say '他在象我' (Tā zài xiàng wǒ), meaning 'He is imitating me.'
You can say '这只象很大' (zhè zhī xiàng hěn dà) meaning 'This elephant is very big.'
Yes, it also means 'shape' or 'to imitate,' depending on the context.
It can be used in formal writing, but ensure the context is appropriate, especially when referring to its symbolic meanings.
