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称 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
称chènto fitHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènto weighHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènbalancedHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènto stateHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènsuitableHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènto nameHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènnameHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènappellationHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènto praiseHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènsteelyardHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chènbalanced; name, brand; to say, to callHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngto fitHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngto weighHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngbalancedHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngto stateHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngsuitableHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngto nameHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngnameHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngappellationHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngto praiseHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngsteelyardHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chēngbalanced; name, brand; to say, to callHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngto fitHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngto weighHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngbalancedHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngto stateHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngsuitableHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngto nameHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngnameHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngappellationHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngto praiseHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngsteelyardHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
称chèngbalanced; name, brand; to say, to callHSK 5, v, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #1837, Hard
chèn(chen4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1to fit
  2. 2to weigh
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
称(稱)chèn(chen4)

The character 称 (chèn) primarily means 'to weigh' or 'to fit.' It is commonly used in contexts such as weighing items, describing suitability, or stating names. Additionally, it can imply a sense of balance or appropriateness in various situations.

Strokes10Radical禾Frequency#1837DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, weighing items holds importance in trade and commerce, reflecting the value placed on fairness and accuracy. The character can also be used in formal titles or names, emphasizing the significance of proper naming conventions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scale (称) where you place items to weigh them. The character resembles a person (亻) holding up a balance (称) to check if it fits or is appropriate, reminding you of its meanings related to weighing and suitability.

Meanings of 称

chèn(chen4)
primary
1to fit
2to weigh
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 称

称Simplified
稱Traditional
10Strokes
禾Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1837Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5TOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 称

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Podcast: 称

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 称

Quick Contrast

称 (chèn) vs 叫 (jiào) — use 称 when referring to naming or describing suitability, while 叫 is specifically used for calling or naming someone.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a scale (称) where you place items to weigh them. The character resembles a person (亻) holding up a balance (称) to check if it fits or is appropriate, reminding you of its meanings related to weighing and suitability.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 称 (chèn) with 秤 (chèng), which specifically refers to a weighing scale. This character is typically used in both formal and informal contexts but is more prevalent in formal settings. Be mindful of the pronunciation and context to avoid using the wrong character.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 称 connects with other vocabulary about measurement and description, such as 重 (zhòng, heavy) and 适合 (shìhé, to fit). Focus on using it in phrases that express suitability or weigh items, enhancing your descriptive language.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, weighing items holds importance in trade and commerce, reflecting the value placed on fairness and accuracy. The character can also be used in formal titles or names, emphasizing the significance of proper naming conventions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 称 (chèn) with 秤 (chèng), using them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我需要一个称' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè chēng) instead of '我需要一个秤' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè chèng) when requesting a scale.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 称

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Etymology of 称

Explanation

Simplified form of 稱. Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 爯 represents the sound.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 称?

Decomposition of 称

IDS Structure⿰禾尔
称Full Character
=
禾he2
left
尔er3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 称?

Write 称

称

Practice writing 称 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 称

称 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 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons6
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这是我称的名字。

Zhè shì wǒ chēng de míngzì.

This is the name I stated.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

大家都____他为先生。

Everyone calls him "sir."

Common Confusions with 称

称vs城
chéng

Similar sound but different meaning and character.

称 relates to naming or stating, while 名 refers specifically to a name.

1

他的名字叫李明。

称 relates to naming or stating, while 名 refers specifically to a name.

💡称 is about the action of naming, while 名 is the noun for name.
Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to fit"?

or

Usage Notes for 称

Usage of 称 in namingGrammar Tip

For stating names or titles, 称 can be used in the structure: '称为'.

1

他称我为朋友。

He calls me a friend.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他____我为朋友。

He calls me a friend.

Example Sentences for 称 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他宣称道：“我为自己的所作所为感到兴奋不已。”

tā xuān chēng dào：“ ：“ wǒ wéi zì jǐ de suǒ zuò suǒ wéi gǎn dào xīng fèn bù。”

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have done what I've done," he declared.
2
他们强烈感受到他们的宗教信仰与政治体制不相称。

tā mén qiáng liè gǎn shòu dào tā mén de zōng jiào xìn yǎng yǔ zhèng zhì tǐ zhì bù xiāng chēng。

They feel strongly that their religion is incompatible with the political system.
3
总裁捶胸顿足，称那是个错误的交易。

zǒng cái chuí xiōng dùn zú， ， chēng nà shì gè cuò wù de jiāo。

The president beat his breast and called that deal a mistake.
4
科尔曼坚称他是无辜的。

kē ěr màn jiān chēng tā shì wú gū de。

Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.
5
军队声称叛军支撑不了多久了。

jūn duì shēng chēng pàn jūn zhī chēng bù le duō jiǔ le。

The army claims the rebels are on the ropes.
6
广播电台声称已经消灭了87,000名“反动分子”。

guǎng bō diàn tái shēng chēng yǐ jīng xiāo miè le87,000 87,000“ míng “ fǎn dòng”。

The radio station claimed that 87,000 "reactionaries" had been eliminated.
7
这可以称得上是今秋令人赏心悦目的影片了。

zhè kě yǐ chēng dé shàng shì jīn qiū líng rén shǎng xīn yuè mù de yǐng piàn le。

This could be the feel-good movie of the autumn.
8
他称之为“绝密”。这是他的原话。

tā chēng zhī wéi“ “ jué”。 mì ”。 zhè shì tā de。

"Most secret", he called it. Those were his very words.
9
这支管弦乐队呈现了精彩的演奏，堪称其多年来的巅峰演奏。

zhè zhī guǎn xián lè duì chéng xiàn le jīng cǎi de yǎn zòu， ， kān chēng qí duō nián lái de diān fēng yǎn。

The orchestra contrived to produce some of its best playing for years.
10
双方的有识之士都会称赞这本书。

shuāng fāng de yǒu shí zhī shì dū huì chēng zàn zhè běn shū。

Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.

Cultural Notes for 称

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, weighing items holds importance in trade and commerce, reflecting the value placed on fairness and accuracy. The character can also be used in formal titles or names, emphasizing the significance of proper naming conventions.

Word Family of 称

Words Containing This Character20
称chènto weigh稱
称为chēngwéicalled稱為
称呼chēnghuto call稱呼
声称shēngchēngto claim聲稱
称之为to call it...稱之為
简称jiǎnchēngabbreviation簡稱
名称míngchēngname (of a thing)名稱
自称zìchēngto call oneself自稱
宣称xuānchēngto assert宣稱
称作chēngzuòto be called稱作
称号chēnghàoname稱號
称赞chēngzànto praise稱讚
称职competent稱職
堪称kānchēngcan be rated as堪稱
号称hàochēngto be known as號稱
著称to be widely known as著稱
对称duìchènsymmetry對稱
据称it is said據稱
人称called人稱
俗称common term俗稱
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 称 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 称

称 (chèn, chēng) generally refers to naming or weighing, while 称呼 (chēng hū) specifically means to address or call someone by a name. Understanding this distinction can help clarify your communication in Chinese.