Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
隍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
隍huángdry ditch, dry moatg, 11 strokes, radical 阝
隍huánggod of cityunknown, 11 strokes, radical 阝
huáng(huang2) T2
  1. 1dry ditch, dry moat
  2. 2god of city
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

隍huáng(huang2)

The character 隍 (huáng) primarily refers to a dry ditch or moat, which is often used in the context of ancient city defenses. It can also denote the concept of a protective barrier around a city. In a more specific sense, it is associated with the god who protects the city.

Strokes11Radical阝
Cultural Note

In ancient China, cities were often fortified with moats to enhance defense mechanisms against invaders. The concept of a dry moat also reflects historical practices of urban planning and military strategy.

Memory Tip

Imagine a dry moat surrounding a city, with the character 隍 representing a large, empty trench. The top part of the character (阝) resembles a raised earth mound, while the bottom part (黄) can remind you of the golden color of dry earth. Think of 'huáng' as 'huang' (yellow), linking the color of dry soil to the dry moat.

Meanings of 隍

huáng(huang2)
1dry ditch, dry moat
2god of city
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 隍

隍Simplified
11Strokes
阝Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 隍

JasonAmy

Podcast: 隍

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 隍

Usage Notes

Ensure to use 隍 in contexts related to historical or architectural discussions about cities and defenses. It's not commonly used in everyday conversation, and using it in informal contexts may confuse listeners. Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (huáng), which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

While 隍 is not an HSK level word, students at this level should focus on recognizing characters related to city and geography. Connecting it to related words like 城 (chéng, city) or 堡 (bǎo, fortress) can be helpful for memory retention.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 隍 with similar characters like 壕 (háo) which means 'moat' but does not imply 'dry'. For example, saying '我住在一个壕' (I live in a moat) would be incorrect if referring to a dry moat, which should use 隍 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 隍

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 隍 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 隍

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

place

Semantic (meaning)阝
+
Phonetic (sound)皇
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 隍

  1. 1The meaning half阝 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half皇 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayplace
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 隍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 隍?

Decomposition of 隍

IDS Structure⿰阝皇
隍Full Character
=
阝yi4
left
皇Huang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 隍?

How to say dry ditch, dry moat in Chinese

“dry ditch, dry moat” in Chinese is隍huáng

The character 隍 (huáng) primarily refers to a dry ditch or moat, which is often used in the context of ancient city defenses. It can also denote the concept of a protective barrier around a city. In a more specific sense, it is associated with the god who protects the city.

When to use 隍

Ensure to use 隍 in contexts related to historical or architectural discussions about cities and defenses. It's not commonly used in everyday conversation, and using it in informal contexts may confuse listeners. Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (huáng), which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 隍 with similar characters like 壕 (háo) which means 'moat' but does not imply 'dry'. For example, saying '我住在一个壕' (I live in a moat) would be incorrect if referring to a dry moat, which should use 隍 instead.

Write 隍

隍

Practice writing 隍 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 隍

Words Containing This Character2
城隍Shing Wong (deity in Chinese mythology)
隍huángdry moat
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 城隍 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 隍

In modern usage, 隍 typically refers to a dry ditch or moat, often in historical or literary contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 隍?

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.