HSK 5, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #12025, Hard
赠
zèng
to repel
HSK 5, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #12025, Hard
赠
zèng
to bestow an honorary title after death (old)
HSK 5, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #12025, Hard
赠
zèng
to bestow, to confer, to present a gift
HSK 5, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #12025, Hard
zèng(zeng4) T4
1to give as a present
2to repel
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March 24, 2026
赠(贈)zèng(zeng4)
The character 赠 (zèng) primarily means 'to give as a present' or 'to bestow.' It is commonly used in the context of gift-giving, especially during celebrations or when expressing gratitude. Additionally, it can refer to the act of conferring honors posthumously, reflecting a deeper cultural appreciation for legacy and respect.
Strokes16Radical贝Frequency#12025DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, presenting gifts is an important part of social interactions, signifying goodwill and respect. The act of 赠 can also be tied to traditions such as giving red envelopes during Lunar New Year, where money is given as a gift to symbolize good fortune.
Memory Tip
Imagine a generous person giving a grand gift (赠) wrapped in a beautiful box. The left part of the character resembles a hand (giving), while the right part can remind you of a present being bestowed. Picture this act, and remember that 'zèng' sounds like 'zing,' which can represent the excitement of giving and receiving gifts.
Meanings of 赠
zèng(zeng4)
1to give as a present
2to repel
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 赠
赠Simplified
贈Traditional
16Strokes
贝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#12025Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 赠
Podcast: 赠
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AI Study Notes for 赠
Quick Contrast
赠 (zèng) vs 送 (sòng) — use 赠 when emphasizing the act of giving as a gift or bestowing, while 送 focuses more on the act of delivering or sending something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a generous person giving a grand gift (赠) wrapped in a beautiful box. The left part of the character resembles a hand (giving), while the right part can remind you of a present being bestowed. Picture this act, and remember that 'zèng' sounds like 'zing,' which can represent the excitement of giving and receiving gifts.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 赠 (to give as a present) with 送 (sòng), which also means to give but is often used for more casual situations. 赠 is more formal and often used in literary or ceremonial contexts. Common collocations include 赠送 (zèngsòng, to present) and 赠品 (zèngpǐn, gift items).
HSK Study Tips
Although 赠 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to words related to giving and presenting gifts. Students should focus on its formal usage and learn to differentiate it from similar verbs like 送 (sòng). Understanding this character can enhance vocabulary around celebrations and honors.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, presenting gifts is an important part of social interactions, signifying goodwill and respect. The act of 赠 can also be tied to traditions such as giving red envelopes during Lunar New Year, where money is given as a gift to symbolize good fortune.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 赠 with 送, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我赠你这个礼物' (I give you this gift) is correct, but '我送你这个赠品' (I present you this gift item) should actually use 赠 instead of 送 for formal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 赠
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Grammar Patterns of 赠
赠 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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
Complete the Sentence
旧货义卖的组织者会感激地领受您捐____的旧衣物。
Your old clothes will be gratefully accepted by jumble sale organisers.
Example Sentences for 赠 (10)
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1
旧货义卖的组织者会感激地领受您捐赠的旧衣物。
jiù huò yì mài de zǔ zhī zhě huì gǎn jī dì lǐng shòu nín juān zèng de jiù yī wù。
Your old clothes will be gratefully accepted by jumble sale organisers.
He urged donors to step up their efforts to send aid to Somalia.
Cultural Notes for 赠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, presenting gifts is an important part of social interactions, signifying goodwill and respect. The act of 赠 can also be tied to traditions such as giving red envelopes during Lunar New Year, where money is given as a gift to symbolize good fortune.
Word Family of 赠
Words Containing This Character16
捐赠juānzèngto donate捐贈
赠送zèngsòngto present as a gift贈送
赠zèngto repel贈
赠品gift贈品
赠与to grant贈與
馈赠to present (a gift) to (sb)饋贈
赠予to grant贈予
转赠to pass on a present轉贈
捐赠者donor捐贈者
赠款grant贈款
遗赠to bequeath遺贈
敬赠complimentary敬贈
追赠to give to the departed追贈
奉赠(honorific) to present奉贈
临别赠言words of advice on parting臨別贈言
赠与者giver贈與者
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 捐赠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 赠
While it is understood, 赠 is more formal and often seen in written language, such as invitations or literary texts.
Yes, but it is typically reserved for more significant or ceremonial gifts rather than casual or everyday items.
The pronunciation is 'zèng,' with a falling tone. Make sure to emphasize the tone for clarity.
