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囊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
囊
náng
bag, purse, sack; to pocket, to stow
zg, 22 strokes, radical 口, rank #8693, Very Hard
囊
náng
pocket (for money)
unknown, 22 strokes, radical 口, rank #8693, Very Hard
náng(nang2)nang T2
1bag, purse, sack; to pocket, to stow
2pocket (for money)
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March 24, 2026
囊náng(nang2)
The character 囊 (náng) primarily means 'bag' or 'purse,' referring to a container used for carrying items. It can also imply the action of stowing something away or pocketing it, which conveys a sense of keeping something secure. This term is often used in both everyday contexts and literary expressions.
Strokes22Radical口Frequency#8693DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, bags were often used to carry not only physical items but also wealth and good fortune, linking the concept of a 'bag' to prosperity and success in life. This reflects the cultural importance of securing one's fortunes.
Memory tip
Imagine a large, fluffy bag (囊) that you can carry with your arms wide open, filled with treasures. The character looks like a bag with a roof (the top part) and a base, emphasizing the idea of holding something valuable inside, which helps recall its meaning.
Meanings of 囊
náng(nang2)
1bag, purse, sack; to pocket, to stow
2pocket (for money)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 囊 means.
About 囊
囊Simplified
22Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 囊
Podcast: 囊
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AI Study Notes for 囊
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when saying 囊; it has a rising tone (náng) that can be easily confused with other words. It is often used in phrases like 'money bag' (钱囊, qián náng) or 'sack of grain' (粮囊, liáng náng). The usage is generally neutral, but in formal writing, it may appear less frequently.
HSK Study Tips
While 囊 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with HSK Level 3 words related to objects and containers, such as 包 (bāo, bag) and 袋 (dài, sack). Students should focus on recognizing it in context, particularly in literary texts or idiomatic expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 囊 with 袋 (dài), which also means 'bag' but is more general. For instance, saying '我有一个囊' (wǒ yǒu yī gè náng) when referring to a shopping bag is incorrect; use '袋' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 囊
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How Well Do You Know 囊?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 囊 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
囊 = 口 + 襄. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 囊
IDS Structure⿱⿻口？襄
囊Full character
=
口kou3
outer
襄Xiang1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 囊?
How to say bag, purse, sack; to pocket, to stow in Chinese
“bag, purse, sack; to pocket, to stow” in Chinese is囊náng
The character 囊 (náng) primarily means 'bag' or 'purse,' referring to a container used for carrying items. It can also imply the action of stowing something away or pocketing it, which conveys a sense of keeping something secure. This term is often used in both everyday contexts and literary expressions.
When to use 囊
Be mindful of the tone when saying 囊; it has a rising tone (náng) that can be easily confused with other words. It is often used in phrases like 'money bag' (钱囊, qián náng) or 'sack of grain' (粮囊, liáng náng). The usage is generally neutral, but in formal writing, it may appear less frequently.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 囊 with 袋 (dài), which also means 'bag' but is more general. For instance, saying '我有一个囊' (wǒ yǒu yī gè náng) when referring to a shopping bag is incorrect; use '袋' instead.
Write 囊
囊
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Practice writing 囊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 囊
囊 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
你要服一粒维生素B胶____。
You are asked to swallow a capsule containing vitamin B.
Example Sentences for 囊 (10)
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1
你要服一粒维生素B胶囊。
nǐ yào fú yī lì wéi shēng sùB B jiāo。
You are asked to swallow a capsule containing vitamin B.
2
警察说他为了逃避逮捕就吞了一颗氰化物胶囊。
jǐng chá shuō tā wéi le táo bì dài bǔ jiù tūn le yī kē qíng huà wù jiāo náng。
The police say he swallowed a cyanide capsule to avoid arrest.
