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March 24, 2026
彭péng(Peng2)
彭 (péng) is primarily used as a surname in China, and it also refers to an ancient state during the Zhou Dynasty. In modern contexts, it may be encountered in names of places or people, making it a significant character in both historical and contemporary settings.
Strokes12Radical彡Frequency#9987DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The surname 彭 is associated with notable historical figures, including the famous general 彭德怀 (Peng Dehuai), which illustrates its significance in Chinese history. Additionally, 彭州 (Pengzhou) is a city in Sichuan province, preserving the name's historical roots.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big, majestic 'penguin' (彭 sounds like 'peng') standing proudly in an ancient kingdom. The character彭 has a radical that resembles a flowing river, symbolizing the ancient state's connection to nature and history.
Meanings of 彭
péng(Peng2)
1name of an ancient country; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 彭 means.
About 彭
彭Simplified
12Strokes
彡Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 彭
Podcast: 彭
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AI Study Notes for 彭
Usage Notes
彭 is mainly used as a surname, so it appears more frequently in formal contexts rather than casual conversation. Common mistakes include mispronouncing it as 'pèng' instead of 'péng', which changes its meaning entirely. Pay attention to the tone, as it is a second tone word.
HSK Study Tips
While 彭 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be useful for learners focusing on names and surnames. Recognizing this character can help students connect with other surnames in Chinese culture and improve their reading comprehension of historical texts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 彭 with similar-sounding surnames like 庞 (páng). Another common mistake is using the wrong tone, such as saying 'pèng', which is incorrect. Always remember to use the rising tone 'péng'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 彭
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How Well Do You Know 彭?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 彭 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.
彭 (péng) is primarily used as a surname in China, and it also refers to an ancient state during the Zhou Dynasty. In modern contexts, it may be encountered in names of places or people, making it a significant character in both historical and contemporary settings.
When to use 彭
彭 is mainly used as a surname, so it appears more frequently in formal contexts rather than casual conversation. Common mistakes include mispronouncing it as 'pèng' instead of 'péng', which changes its meaning entirely. Pay attention to the tone, as it is a second tone word.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 彭 with similar-sounding surnames like 庞 (páng). Another common mistake is using the wrong tone, such as saying 'pèng', which is incorrect. Always remember to use the rising tone 'péng'.
Write 彭
彭
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Grammar Patterns of 彭
彭 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.
____德古德把旅行拖车里的沙子铲了出来。
Pendergood had shovelled the sand out of the caravan.
Example Sentences for 彭 (6)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
彭德古德把旅行拖车里的沙子铲了出来。
péng dé gǔ dé bǎ lǚ háng tuō chē lǐ de shā zǐ chǎn le chū lái。
Pendergood had shovelled the sand out of the caravan.
2
我跟着她进了彭尼家然后开始交谈起来。
wǒ gēn zháo tā jìn le péng ní jiā rán hòu kāi shǐ jiāo tán qǐ lái。
I trailed her into Penney's and struck up a conversation.
3
我把自己的名字写在彭尼的下面。
wǒ bǎ zì jǐ de míng zì xiě zài péng ní de xià miàn。
I wrote my name after Penny's.
4
约翰会带你上楼，彭里先生。
yuē hàn huì dài nǐ shàng lóu， ， péng lǐ xiān。
John will show you upstairs, Mr Penry.
5
他是奥彭那幅名画中位于前景的戴圆顶硬礼帽的那个人物。
tā shì ào péng nà fú míng huà zhōng wèi yú qián jǐng de dài yuán dǐng yìng lǐ mào de nà gè rén wù。
He is the bowler-hatted figure in the foreground of Orpen's famous painting.
6
虽然输掉了比赛, 但是彭帅的心态确实成熟了.
suī rán shū diào le bǐ sài, , dàn shì péng shuài de xīn tài què shí chéng shú.
Despite losing the game, but Peng Shuai of mind come of age.
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Word Family of 彭
Words Containing This Character20
彭péngsurname Peng
彭德怀Peng Dehuai (1898-1974), top communist general, subsequently politician and politburo member, disgraced after attacking Mao's failed policies in 1959, and died after extensive persecution during the Cultural Revolution彭德懷
彭真Peng Zhen (1902-1997), Chinese communist leader
彭州Pengzhou county level city in Chengdu 成都[Chéngdū], Sichuan
彭博Bloomberg (name)
彭勃Peng Bo
彭州市Pengzhou county level city in Chengdu 成都[Chéngdū], Sichuan
彭斯Mike Pence (1959-), US Republican politician, US vice president from 2017
彭泽Pengze county in Jiujiang 九江, Jiangxi彭澤
彭丽媛Peng Liyuan (1962-), PRC folk music singer, wife of Xi Jinping 習近平|习近平[XíJìnpíng]彭麗媛
彭博社Bloomberg News
彭定康Chris Patten (1944-), last British Governor of Hong Kong 1992-1997
彭水县Pengshui Miao and Tujia autonomous county in Qianjiang suburbs of Chongqing municipality彭水縣
彭泽县Pengze county in Jiujiang 九江, Jiangxi彭澤縣
彭山Pengshan County in Meishan 眉山市[MéishānShì], Sichuan
彭博新闻社Bloomberg News彭博新聞社
彭祖Peng Zu (legendary figure of Taoism who lived 800 years)
彭山县Pengshan County in Meishan 眉山市[MéishānShì], Sichuan彭山縣
彭阳县Pengyang county in Guyuan 固原[Gùyuán], Ningxia彭陽縣
岑彭Cen Peng (died 35 AD), Chinese general
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 彭
What does 彭德怀 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 彭
The surname 彭 does not have a specific meaning but is associated with historical figures and an ancient state.
彭 is pronounced as 'péng' with a rising tone, similar to how one might say 'penguin'.
Yes, 彭德怀 (Peng Dehuai) was a prominent general in Chinese history.
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