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囱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chuāngchimneyx, 7 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
cōngchimneyx, 7 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
chuāng(chuang1)
primary
T1
  1. 1chimney
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(囪)chuāng(chuang1)

The character 囱 (chuāng) primarily refers to a chimney, which is a structure allowing smoke from a fireplace or furnace to escape outside. In some contexts, it is also considered a variant of 窗 (chuāng), which means window. This character is not commonly used in modern Mandarin, so learners might encounter it more frequently in historical texts or regional dialects.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Chimneys are less common in modern Chinese architecture compared to Western homes, reflecting different heating practices and home designs. However, traditional Chinese homes, especially in rural areas, may still feature chimneys as part of their design.

Memory Tip

Imagine a chimney (因 it's a variant of 窗) puffing out smoke. The character 囱 looks like a small house with a roof (口) and a chimney (小) on top, symbolizing where smoke escapes. Think of 'chuāng' as the sound of smoke wafting up, escaping through the chimney.

Meanings of 囱

chuāng(chuang1)
primary
1chimney
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 囱

Simplified
Traditional
7Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 囱

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 囱

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a chimney (因 it's a variant of 窗) puffing out smoke. The character 囱 looks like a small house with a roof (口) and a chimney (小) on top, symbolizing where smoke escapes. Think of 'chuāng' as the sound of smoke wafting up, escaping through the chimney.

Usage Notes

Because 囱 is not frequently used in contemporary language, learners may mistake it for 窗 (window) in conversation and writing. It's important to note the context in which it appears, as using the wrong character can lead to confusion. Both characters share the same pronunciation but differ significantly in meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 囱 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can help learners understand the relationship between characters and their variants. Focusing on the pronunciation 'chuāng' can also aid in recognizing similar-sounding characters at HSK Level 1 and 2.

Cultural Note

Chimneys are less common in modern Chinese architecture compared to Western homes, reflecting different heating practices and home designs. However, traditional Chinese homes, especially in rural areas, may still feature chimneys as part of their design.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 囱 with 窗 due to their similar pronunciations and meanings; for example, saying '我把烟放在窗' instead of '我把烟放在囱' when referring to smoke in a chimney. It's crucial to remember that they refer to different structures.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 囱

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Etymology of 囱

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Variant form of 囪, which is a pictograph of a window.

Memory Hint

A fire 夂 burning and giving off smoke

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 囱?

Decomposition of 囱

IDS Structure⿴囗夂
Full Character
=
wei2
enclosing
zhi3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 囱?

Write 囱

Practice writing 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 囱

囱 carries one core meaning. 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

Complete the Sentence

产业结构已由烟____工业转向了高科技产业。

There has been a shift from smokestack industries into high-tech ones.

Example Sentences for 囱 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
产业结构已由烟囱工业转向了高科技产业。

chǎn yè jié gòu yǐ yóu yān cōng gōng yè zhuǎn xiàng le gāo kē jì chǎn yè。

There has been a shift from smokestack industries into high-tech ones.
2
我用绳子把自己系在烟囱上。

wǒ yòng shéng zǐ bǎ zì jǐ xì zài yān cōng shàng。

I roped myself to the chimney.
3
烟囱里冒着白烟.

yān cōng lǐ mào zháo bái yān.

White smoke rose from the chimneys.
4
烟囱里喷出一团黑烟.

yān cōng lǐ pēn chū yī tuán hēi yān.

The chimney blew out a cloud of black smoke.
5
这个工厂的烟囱一直冒黑烟.

zhè gè gōng chǎng de yān cōng yī zhí mào hēi yān.

The factory has been emitting black smoke from its chimney.
6
一缕盘旋的轻烟从农舍唯一的烟囱里缭绕升起。

yī lǚ pán xuán de qīng yān cóng nóng shě wéi yī de yān cōng lǐ liáo rào shēng qǐ。

A thin twist of smoke curled from the cottage's single chimney.
7
从烟囱里冒出一缕轻烟.

cóng yān cōng lǐ mào chū yī lǚ qīng yān.

A plume of smoke rose from the chimney.
8
烟囱里面很快就覆盖了一层煤烟.

yān cōng lǐ miàn hěn kuài jiù fù gài le yī céng méi yān.

The inside of a chimney soon gets covered in soot.
9
你可以凭借烟囱形状的不同来区分这两幢房子.

nǐ kě yǐ píng jiè yān cōng xíng zhuàng de bù tóng lái qū fēn zhè liǎng chuáng fáng zǐ.

You can differentiate between the houses by the shape of their chimneys.
10
火车烟囱喷出的煤屑和煤烟,纷纷落在田间怒放的野花和毛茸茸的杂草茎节上.

huǒ chē yān cōng pēn chū de méi xiè hé méi yān, , fēn fēn luò zài tián jiān nù fàng de yě huā hé máo róng róng de zá cǎo jīng jié.

The engine sowed cinders and soot over the fiery flowers and the hairy knobs of weed.

Cultural Notes for 囱

🏮Cultural insight

Chimneys are less common in modern Chinese architecture compared to Western homes, reflecting different heating practices and home designs. However, traditional Chinese homes, especially in rural areas, may still feature chimneys as part of their design.

Word Family of 囱

Words Containing This Character2
烟囱yāncōngchimney煙囪
chuāngchimney
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 烟囱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 囱

No, 囱 is not frequently used in everyday conversation and is more often seen in historical or regional contexts.