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传承 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
传承chuánchéngto pass on (to future generations)HSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #20895, Hard
传承chuánchéngpassed on (from former times)HSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #20895, Hard
传承chuánchénga continued traditionHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #20895, Hard
传承chuánchéngan inheritanceHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #20895, Hard
chuánchéng(chuan2cheng2)chuan cheng T2
  1. 1to pass on (to future generations)
  2. 2passed on (from former times)
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March 24, 2026

传承(傳承)chuánchéng(chuan2cheng2)

传承 (chuan2 cheng2) refers to the act of passing down cultural, historical, or familial traditions and values from one generation to another. It is commonly used in contexts related to heritage, education, and the preservation of customs. The term emphasizes continuity and the importance of maintaining connections with the past.

Strokes14Frequency#20895DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 传承 is crucial for maintaining traditions such as festivals, art forms, and family values. For instance, the inheritance of calligraphy skills from masters to apprentices exemplifies this concept in practice.

Memory tip

Think of 传 (chuan) as a 'bridge' passing over time and generations, while 承 (cheng) resembles a 'hand' holding onto these traditions. Together, they form a vivid image of a bridge connecting past and future through the hands of those who carry on the legacy.

Meanings of 传承

chuánchéng(chuan2cheng2)
1to pass on (to future generations)
2passed on (from former times)
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About 传承

传承Simplified
傳承Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 传承

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AI study notes for 传承

Quick Contrast

承传 (chéngchuán) is often used interchangeably with 传承 (chuánchéng), but 传承 emphasizes the act of passing down cultural values, while 承传 can imply a more passive acceptance of what is passed down.

Usage Notes

When using 传承, be mindful of context; it often carries a formal tone suitable for discussions about culture or family. Common collocations include 文化传承 (cultural inheritance) and 传统传承 (traditional inheritance). Avoid confusing it with similar terms like 传递 (chuan2 di4), which means to transmit or convey.

HSK Study Tips

While 传承 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with themes of culture and education found in HSK levels 4 and above. Students should focus on recognizing its components and how they relate to broader discussions about culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 传承 with 继承 (ji4 cheng2), which specifically focuses on inheritance of property or rights. For example, saying '我继承了文化' (I inherited culture) is incorrect; it should be '我传承了文化' (I passed on culture).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 传承

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Component characters

传chuánbiography
HSK 56 strokes亻
View full entry
承chéngCheng (c. 2000 BC), third of the legendary Flame Emperors 炎帝[Yán dì] descended from Shennong 神農
HSK 58 strokes手
View full entry

How to say to pass on (to future generations) in Chinese

“to pass on (to future generations)” in Chinese is传承chuánchéng

传承 (chuan2 cheng2) refers to the act of passing down cultural, historical, or familial traditions and values from one generation to another. It is commonly used in contexts related to heritage, education, and the preservation of customs. The term emphasizes continuity and the importance of maintaining connections with the past.

When to use 传承

When using 传承, be mindful of context; it often carries a formal tone suitable for discussions about culture or family. Common collocations include 文化传承 (cultural inheritance) and 传统传承 (traditional inheritance). Avoid confusing it with similar terms like 传递 (chuan2 di4), which means to transmit or convey.

传承 or something close to it

承传 (chéngchuán) is often used interchangeably with 传承 (chuánchéng), but 传承 emphasizes the act of passing down cultural values, while 承传 can imply a more passive acceptance of what is passed down.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 传承 with 继承 (ji4 cheng2), which specifically focuses on inheritance of property or rights. For example, saying '我继承了文化' (I inherited culture) is incorrect; it should be '我传承了文化' (I passed on culture).

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传
承

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Cultural Notes for 传承

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the idea of inheritance often focuses more on tangible assets, such as property, rather than intangible cultural values, which are emphasized in Chinese traditions.

Frequently asked questions about 传承

You can say, '我们要努力保护和传承我们的文化' (We must work hard to protect and pass on our culture).

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