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March 24, 2026
姜jiāng(Jiang1)
姜 (jiāng) primarily refers to 'ginger,' a common spice used in Chinese cuisine known for its distinct flavor and health benefits. Additionally, it is a surname in China, often associated with historical figures and families. The character can appear in various contexts, including cooking, herbal medicine, and family lineage discussions.
Strokes9Radical女Frequency#5595DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Ginger holds significant importance in Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine, often used for its warming properties and believed to promote digestion and health. It is a staple ingredient during festivals and family gatherings, symbolizing warmth and hospitality.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant piece of ginger (姜) with the sound 'jiāng' resembling the loud 'ging' of a bell. Visualize the ginger's knobby form and earthy color, which can help you remember both its meaning and pronunciation. Picture this ginger being used in a stir-fry, adding flavor to the dish, which connects the character to its culinary significance.
Meanings of 姜
jiāng(Jiang1)
1ginger; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 姜 means.
About 姜
姜Simplified
9Strokes
女Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 姜
Podcast: 姜
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AI Study Notes for 姜
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when saying '姜' (jiāng), as mispronouncing it as 'jiàng' could change its meaning. This character is commonly used in everyday language when discussing cooking, health remedies, or referring to people with the surname Jiang. It is generally informal but can be used in various settings.
HSK Study Tips
Although '姜' is not currently listed in the HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 1-3 as it connects to food-related vocabulary. Students should focus on the pronunciation and practice using it in sentences related to cooking or family names.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 姜 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 将 (jiāng), which means 'to will' or 'to bring.' Remember that 姜 refers specifically to ginger and has a distinct culinary context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 姜
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How Well Do You Know 姜?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 姜 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.
姜 (jiāng) primarily refers to 'ginger,' a common spice used in Chinese cuisine known for its distinct flavor and health benefits. Additionally, it is a surname in China, often associated with historical figures and families. The character can appear in various contexts, including cooking, herbal medicine, and family lineage discussions.
When to use 姜
Be mindful of the tone when saying '姜' (jiāng), as mispronouncing it as 'jiàng' could change its meaning. This character is commonly used in everyday language when discussing cooking, health remedies, or referring to people with the surname Jiang. It is generally informal but can be used in various settings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 姜 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 将 (jiāng), which means 'to will' or 'to bring.' Remember that 姜 refers specifically to ginger and has a distinct culinary context.
Write 姜
姜
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Grammar Patterns of 姜
姜 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
磨碎一汤匙鲜____，放入平底锅。
Grate a tablespoonful of fresh ginger into a pan.
Example Sentences for 姜 (8)
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1
磨碎一汤匙鲜姜，放入平底锅。
mó suì yī tāng chí xiān jiāng， ， fàng rù píng dǐ。
Grate a tablespoonful of fresh ginger into a pan.
2
她的 未婚夫 留着触目的姜黃色小胡子,修剪得很整齐.
tā de wèi hūn fū liú zháo chù mù de jiāng huáng sè xiǎo, hú zǐ , xiū jiǎn dé.
Sweet meets heat: A chili pepper, soy and ginger sauce.
5
她是一位成熟的淑女，有一头染成姜黄色的头发和顽皮的笑容。
tā shì yī wèi chéng shú de shū nǚ， ， yǒu yī tóu rǎn chéng jiāng huáng sè de tóu fā hé wán pí de xiào。
She was a mature lady with dyed ginger hair and a roguish grin.
6
亦或应验了一句老话: 姜还是老的辣.
yì huò yīng yàn le yī jù lǎo huà: : jiāng huán shì lǎo de.
Might come true the old saying: spicy ginger or older.
7
姜是老的辣.
jiāng shì lǎo de là.
Old birds is not to be catched with chaff.
8
舟曲西 、 南部一度为蜀将姜维屯田的沓中地区.
zhōu qū xī、 、 nán bù yī dù wéi shǔ jiāng jiāng wéi tún tián de tà zhōng dì.
Zhouqu West, the Southern will once Shu Jiang Da Dynasty's regions.
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Word Family of 姜
Words Containing This Character8
姜jiāngginger
生姜fresh ginger生薑
姜文Jiang Wen (1963-), sixth generation Chinese movie director
姜黄turmeric薑黃
姜子牙Jiang Ziya (c. 1100 BC, dates of birth and death unknown), partly mythical sage advisor to King Wen of Zhou 周文王[ZhōuWénwáng] and purported author of “Six Secret Strategic Teachings” 六韜|六韬[Liùtāo], one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七
孟姜女heroine of Qin dynasty 秦朝 folk tale, who searched for her husband, and whose tears broke down a stretch of the Great Wall to reveal his body
黄姜turmeric黃薑
姜太公see Jiang Ziya 姜子牙[JiāngZǐyá]
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 姜
What does 生姜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 姜
It is pronounced as 'jiāng' with a first tone.
Yes, you can say '我喜欢在菜里加姜' (Wǒ xǐhuān zài cài lǐ jiā jiāng), meaning 'I like to add ginger to dishes.'
Yes, 姜 is a relatively common surname in China, and you may encounter it in historical texts or modern names.
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