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纵容 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
纵容zòngróngto indulgeHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #12093, Very Hard
纵容zòngróngto connive atHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #12093, Very Hard
zòngróng(zong4rong2)zong rong T4
  1. 1to indulge
  2. 2to connive at
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March 24, 2026

纵容(縱容)zòngróng(zong4rong2)

纵容 (zòng róng) means to indulge or to allow someone, often in a way that is harmful or excessive. It is commonly used in contexts where leniency leads to negative behavior, such as in parenting or management, suggesting that excessive tolerance can exacerbate a problem.

Strokes17Frequency#12093DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on discipline and respect for authority, making 纵容 particularly relevant in discussions about parenting styles and workplace management. Excessive indulgence is often criticized as it can lead to a lack of respect or responsibility.

Memory tip

Imagine a parent watching their child eat too many sweets (甜点 tián diǎn) and saying, 'Go ahead, indulge!' The character 纵 (zòng) looks like a child being allowed to run free (纵 means to let go), while 容 (róng) sounds like 'room'—giving someone room to misbehave.

Meanings of 纵容

zòngróng(zong4rong2)
1to indulge
2to connive at
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About 纵容

纵容Simplified
縱容Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 纵容

Quick Contrast

纵容 (zòngróng) vs 容忍 (róngrěn) — use 纵容 when implying indulgence that encourages negative behavior, while 容忍 refers to tolerating something undesirable without necessarily encouraging it.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone used in 纵容, as it can carry a negative connotation, implying negligence or harmful allowance. It's often used in a formal context, particularly in discussions about discipline, ethics, or management. Common collocations include 纵容行为 (indulgent behavior) and 纵容孩子 (indulging a child).

HSK Study Tips

This word is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, but it connects with concepts like 管教 (guǎn jiào - to discipline) and 允许 (yǔn xǔ - to allow). Students should focus on understanding the implications of indulgence in various contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 纵容 with 允许 (yǔn xǔ - to allow), which is neutral. For example, saying '老师纵容学生' (The teacher indulges the students) is incorrect if the teacher is simply allowing them to speak—use 允许 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 纵容

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Component Characters

纵zòngwarp (the vertical threads in weaving)
HSK 67 strokes纟
View full entry
容róngto hold
10 strokes宀
View full entry

How to say to indulge in Chinese

“to indulge” in Chinese is纵容zòngróng

纵容 (zòng róng) means to indulge or to allow someone, often in a way that is harmful or excessive. It is commonly used in contexts where leniency leads to negative behavior, such as in parenting or management, suggesting that excessive tolerance can exacerbate a problem.

When to use 纵容

Be cautious with the tone used in 纵容, as it can carry a negative connotation, implying negligence or harmful allowance. It's often used in a formal context, particularly in discussions about discipline, ethics, or management. Common collocations include 纵容行为 (indulgent behavior) and 纵容孩子 (indulging a child).

纵容 or something close to it

纵容 (zòngróng) vs 容忍 (róngrěn) — use 纵容 when implying indulgence that encourages negative behavior, while 容忍 refers to tolerating something undesirable without necessarily encouraging it.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 纵容 with 允许 (yǔn xǔ - to allow), which is neutral. For example, saying '老师纵容学生' (The teacher indulges the students) is incorrect if the teacher is simply allowing them to speak—use 允许 instead.

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纵
容

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Cultural Notes for 纵容

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, indulgence might be viewed more positively, often associated with self-care or personal freedom, whereas in Chinese culture, it can be linked to negative outcomes and lack of discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions about 纵容

Yes, 纵容 typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting harmful indulgence or negligence.

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