HSK 6, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 宀, rank #8817, Hard
宋
sòng
the Song dynasty (960-1279)
HSK 6, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 宀, rank #8817, Hard
宋
sòng
also Song of the Southern dynasties 南朝宋 (420-479)
HSK 6, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 宀, rank #8817, Hard
sòng(Song4) T4
1the Song dynasty; surname
2the Song dynasty (960-1279)
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March 24, 2026
宋sòng(Song4)
The character 宋 (sòng) primarily refers to the Song dynasty, a significant period in Chinese history that lasted from 960 to 1279 AD. It can also be a common Chinese surname. In historical contexts, it is often used to discuss cultural and technological advancements during this era.
Strokes7Radical宀Frequency#8817DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The Song dynasty is known for its advancements in arts, literature, and technology, including the invention of movable type printing. This character often appears in discussions about Chinese cultural heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a song (sòng) being sung in a grand palace during the Song dynasty. The character 宋 combines 'house' (宀) and 'to follow' (㞢), representing a place where culture and arts followed tradition. Picture the palace filled with musicians and poets, creating a vivid scene to remember both the character and its meaning.
Meanings of 宋
sòng(Song4)
1the Song dynasty; surname
2the Song dynasty (960-1279)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 宋
宋Simplified
7Strokes
宀Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateCEFRC1
Podcast: 宋
Podcast: 宋
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AI Study Notes for 宋
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a song (sòng) being sung in a grand palace during the Song dynasty. The character 宋 combines 'house' (宀) and 'to follow' (㞢), representing a place where culture and arts followed tradition. Picture the palace filled with musicians and poets, creating a vivid scene to remember both the character and its meaning.
Usage Notes
The character 宋 is often used in historical discussions, so it's important to use it in the appropriate context. Common collocations include 宋朝 (Song dynasty) and 宋国 (State of Song). Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a falling tone (sòng) to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Though 宋 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to historical and cultural studies of the language. Students should focus on recognizing 宋 in historical texts and discussions, as well as its usage as a surname.
Cultural Note
The Song dynasty is known for its advancements in arts, literature, and technology, including the invention of movable type printing. This character often appears in discussions about Chinese cultural heritage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 宋 with similar-sounding characters. For example, saying 'sǒng' instead of 'sòng' is incorrect. Always remember the correct tone to avoid confusion with other characters like 送 (sòng, meaning to send).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宋
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Grammar Patterns of 宋
宋 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 4 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 2
Complete the Sentence
及至____代,方有刻本.
Block - printed books did not appear until the Song Dynasty.
Example Sentences for 宋 (1)
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1
及至宋代,方有刻本.
jí zhì sòng dài, , fāng yǒu kè.
Block - printed books did not appear until the Song Dynasty.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
Block - printed books did not appear until the Song Dynasty.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 宋
🏮Cultural insight
The Song dynasty is known for its advancements in arts, literature, and technology, including the invention of movable type printing. This character often appears in discussions about Chinese cultural heritage.
Word Family of 宋
Words Containing This Character13
宋sòngsurname Song
宋楚瑜James Soong (1942-), Taiwanese politician expelled from Guomindang in 2000 when he founded People First Party 親民黨|亲民党
宋代Song dynasty (960-1279)
南宋the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)
宋朝Song Dynasty (960-1279)
北宋the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127)
唐宋the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties
宋庆龄Song Qingling or Rosemonde Soong (1893-1981), wife of Sun Yat-sen 孫中山|孙中山[SūnZhōngshān]宋慶齡
宋江Song Jiang, a principal hero of the novel Water Margin 水滸傳|水浒传
宋祖英Song Zuying (1966-), Chinese folk music singer
宋美龄Soong Mei-ling (1898-2003), Chiang Kai-shek's second wife宋美齡
吕宋岛Luzon Island, north Philippines呂宋島
宋史(not to be confused with 宋書|宋书[Sòngshū])
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 宋 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 宋
It refers to the Song dynasty, which is known for its cultural and technological achievements.
