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March 24, 2026
孙(孫)Sūn(Sun1)
The character 孙 (Sūn) primarily means 'grandson' or 'descendant.' It is commonly used as a surname in China, and it's associated with lineage and family hierarchy. In contexts referring to descendants, it reflects the importance of family ties in Chinese culture.
Strokes6Radical子Frequency#9160DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of lineage is crucial, and terms like 孙 reflect respect for ancestry and the continuation of family names. The role of grandchildren in family gatherings and traditions is significant.
Memory tip
Think of 孙 as a 'sun' shining down on generations below it, representing the lineage that follows. The character has a child (子) under the radical for 'old' (子), indicating the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren.
Meanings of 孙
Sūn(Sun1)
1grandson
2descendant
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 孙 means.
About 孙
孙Simplified
孫Traditional
6Strokes
子Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#9160Frequency Rank
Podcast: 孙
Podcast: 孙
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AI study notes for 孙
Quick Contrast
孙 (grandson) vs 子 (child) — use 孙 specifically for a grandchild, while 子 refers to a child in general.
Usage Notes
When using 孙 in a sentence, be mindful of its family context. It is often used in formal situations discussing family lineage. A common collocation is 孙子 (sūnzi), meaning 'grandson,' which learners might confuse with 孙 (sūn) alone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 孙 is not included in the HSK levels, students at the beginner level should focus on family-related vocabulary, as it is fundamental in Chinese culture. Understanding this character can help learners connect with discussions about family.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 孙 with other family terms like 子 (child) or 侄 (nephew). For example, saying 孙子 (sūnzi) to mean 'child' is incorrect, as it specifically means 'grandson.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 孙
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The character 孙 (Sūn) primarily means 'grandson' or 'descendant.' It is commonly used as a surname in China, and it's associated with lineage and family hierarchy. In contexts referring to descendants, it reflects the importance of family ties in Chinese culture.
When to use 孙
When using 孙 in a sentence, be mindful of its family context. It is often used in formal situations discussing family lineage. A common collocation is 孙子 (sūnzi), meaning 'grandson,' which learners might confuse with 孙 (sūn) alone.
孙 or something close to it
孙 (grandson) vs 子 (child) — use 孙 specifically for a grandchild, while 子 refers to a child in general.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 孙 with other family terms like 子 (child) or 侄 (nephew). For example, saying 孙子 (sūnzi) to mean 'child' is incorrect, as it specifically means 'grandson.'
Write 孙
孙
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Grammar patterns of 孙
孙 carries 4 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
爷爷每天带____子去公园玩。
Grandpa takes his grandson to the park every day.
Common confusions with 孙
孙vs森
sēn
Both characters have a similar structure but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “grandson”?
or
Example sentences for 孙 (25)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
zggrandson12
1
爷爷每天带孙子去公园玩。
Yéye měitiān dài sūnzi qù gōngyuán wán.
Grandpa takes his grandson to the park every day.
2
奶奶给孙子做了好吃的饺子。
Nǎinai gěi sūnzi zuòle hǎochī de jiǎozi.
Grandma made delicious dumplings for her grandson.
3
我的孙子喜欢画画。
Wǒ de sūnzi xǐhuan huàhuà.
My grandson likes to draw.
4
他为孙子买了一本新书。
Tā wèi sūnzi mǎile yī běn xīn shū.
He bought a new book for his grandson.
5
爷爷每天带孙子去公园玩。
Yéye měitiān dài sūnzi qù gōngyuán wán.
Grandpa takes his grandson to the park every day.
6
奶奶给孙子做了好吃的饺子。
Nǎinai gěi sūnzi zuòle hǎochī de jiǎozi.
Grandma made delicious dumplings for her grandson.
7
我的孙子喜欢画画。
Wǒ de sūnzi xǐhuan huàhuà.
My grandson likes to draw.
8
他为孙子买了一本新书。
Tā wèi sūnzi mǎile yī běn xīn shū.
He bought a new book for his grandson.
9
爷爷每天带孙子去公园玩。
Yéye měitiān dài sūnzi qù gōngyuán wán.
Grandpa takes his grandson to the park every day.
10
奶奶给孙子做了好吃的饺子。
Nǎinai gěi sūnzi zuòle hǎochī de jiǎozi.
Grandma made delicious dumplings for her grandson.
11
我的孙子喜欢画画。
Wǒ de sūnzi xǐhuan huàhuà.
My grandson likes to draw.
12
他为孙子买了一本新书。
Tā wèi sūnzi mǎile yī běn xīn shū.
He bought a new book for his grandson.
zgsurname Sun13
13
你不准打我的孙子孙女，明白吗？
nǐ bùzhǔn dǎ wǒ de sūnzi sūnnǚ， míngbai ma？
You do not hit my grandchildren, do you understand?
14
他完全是出于对两个孙子的关心才继续这样做。
tā wánquán shì chūyú duì liǎng gè sūnzi de guānxīn cái jìxù zhèyàng zuò。
He had only gone along out of concern for his two grandsons.
15
人们可能会翻着白眼谈论那些溺爱儿孙、样样都要插手的祖母。
rénmen kěnéng huì fān zhe bái yǎn tánlùn nàxiē nì ài ér Sūn、 yàng yàng dōu yào chāshǒu de zǔmǔ。
People may roll their eyes and talk about overprotective, interfering grandmothers.
16
城堡在1859年由他的曾孙重建。
chéngbǎo zài1859 nián yóu tā de céng Sūn chóngjiàn。
The castle was rebuilt by his great grandson in
17
于是德伯跟着就加在他的本姓之上,永远成了他自己和他子孙的姓了.
yúshì dé bà gēn zhe jiù jiā zài tā de běn xìng zhī shàng, yǒngyuǎn chéng le tā zìjǐ hé tā zǐsūn de xìng le.
And D'Uberville accordingly was annexed to his own name for himself and his heirs elernally.
18
于是德伯就加在他的本姓之上,也永远成了他自己和他子孙的姓了.
yúshì dé bà jiù jiā zài tā de běn xìng zhī shàng, yě yǒngyuǎn chéng le tā zìjǐ hé tā zǐsūn de xìng le.
And D'Uberville accordingly was annexed to his own name for himself and his heirs eternally.
Aren't Ah Ch'ou and your Ah Hsiung both Fang grandsons?
20
辛楣 释然道: “ 方 —— 呃 —— 孙小姐, 你真好!
Xīn méi shì rán dào: “ fāng —— è —— Sūn xiǎojiě, nǐ zhēn hǎo!
Relieved , Hsin - mei said, " Mrs. - uh - Miss Sun, how good you are!
21
孙悟空春风满面, 高登宝座.
Sūn wù kōng chūn fēng mǎn miàn, gāo dēng bǎo zuò.
Sun Wukong , his face lit up with youthful vigour, climbed up onto his throne.
22
爷爷疼孙子.
yéye téng sūnzi.
Grandpa dotes on his grandson.
23
我的朋友姓孙。
Wǒ de péngyǒu xìng Sūn.
My friend's surname is Sun.
24
我的朋友姓孙。
Wǒ de péngyǒu xìng Sūn.
My friend's surname is Sun.
25
我的朋友姓孙。
Wǒ de péngyǒu xìng Sūn.
My friend's surname is Sun.
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Word Family of 孙
Compounds3
逊xùnto abdicate
荪sūnaromatic grass; flower, iris
狲sūnmonkey
Words containing this character20
孙子sūnzigrandson孫子
孙Sūngrandson孫
孙女sūnnǚson's daughter孫女
子孙zǐsūnoffspring子孫
孙中山sūnzhōngshānsame as 孫逸仙|孙逸仙孫中山
外孙wàisūngrandson外孫
孙继海sūnjìhǎiSun Jihai (1977-), Chinese footballer, played for Manchester City (2002-2008)孫繼海
外孙女wàisūnnǚdaughter's daughter外孫女
孙悟空sūnwùkōngSon Goku, the main character in Dragon Ball 七龍珠|七龙珠[Qīlóngzhū]孫悟空
长孙zhǎngsūneldest grandson長孫
公孙gōngsūntwo-character surname Gongsun公孫
孙悦sūnyuèSun Yue (1973-), PRC female pop star孫悅
孙燕姿sūnyànzīStefanie Sun (1978-), Singaporean singer-songwriter孫燕姿
孙权sūnquánSun Quan (reigned 222-252), southern warlord and king of state of Wu 吳|吴 in the Three Kingdoms period孫權
儿孙érsūndescendant兒孫
曾孙zēngsūngreat-grandson曾孫
炎黄子孙yánhuángzǐsūndescendants of the Fiery Emperor and the Yellow Emperor (i.e. Han Chinese people)炎黃子孫
孙策sūncèSun Ce (175-200), general and major warlord of the Later Han Dynasty孫策
孙武sūnwǔSun Wu, also known as Sun Tzu 孫子|孙子[Sūnzǐ] (c. 500 BC, dates of birth and death uncertain), general, strategist and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period (700-475 BC), believed to be the author of the “Art of War” 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[SūnzǐBīngfǎ], one of 孫武
孙坚sūnjiānSun Jian (155-191), famous general at end of Han dynasty, forerunner of the southern kingdom of Wu of the Three Kingdoms孫堅
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 孙
What does 逊 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 孙
Yes, 孙 (sūn) is a common surname in China, ranking among the top surnames. It is often associated with various notable historical figures and has a rich cultural background.
孙 (sūn) refers specifically to a grandson or descendant, while 侄 (zhí) denotes a nephew. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for discussing family relations accurately in Chinese.
孙 (sūn) primarily means 'grandson' or 'descendant'. It can also refer to the surname 'Sun', which is a common family name in China. In a broader context, it denotes a sense of lineage or ancestry.
To use 孙 (sūn) in sentences, you can refer to someone's grandson by saying '我的孙子' (wǒ de sūnzi), which means 'my grandson'. You can also use it in a more formal context when discussing family lineage or heritage.
No, 孙 can refer to grandchildren in general, including granddaughters, but it specifically denotes male descendants.
Yes, it can refer to any descendant, but it is more frequently used in family names.
It is pronounced as Sūn, with a high and level tone.
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