unknown, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #65247, Very Hard
搪
táng
to hold off
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #65247, Very Hard
搪
táng
to spread
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #65247, Very Hard
搪
táng
to coat
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #65247, Very Hard
搪
táng
to smear
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #65247, Very Hard
搪
táng
to daub
unknown, 13 strokes, radical 扌, rank #65247, Very Hard
táng(tang2) T2
1to parry, to block; to ward off, to evade
2to keep out
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March 24, 2026
搪táng(tang2)
The character 搪 (táng) primarily means to parry or block, often in the context of evading an attack or keeping something out. It can also refer to the act of smearing or spreading a substance, making it versatile in terms of usage in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes13Radical扌Frequency#65247DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese martial arts, the concept of 'parrying' or 'blocking' is crucial, symbolizing not just physical defense but also mental strategy in overcoming obstacles. This character can represent the philosophical idea of evasion in conflict resolution.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'tang' of a sword (the character's phonetic sound) parrying away an attack. The 'hands' (扌) radical suggests action, while the 'tang' part visually represents a shield blocking something dangerous. Picture a shield being smeared with a protective coating to keep enemies at bay.
Meanings of 搪
táng(tang2)
1to parry, to block; to ward off, to evade
2to keep out
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 搪
搪Simplified
13Strokes
扌Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 搪
Podcast: 搪
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AI Study Notes for 搪
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'tang' of a sword (the character's phonetic sound) parrying away an attack. The 'hands' (扌) radical suggests action, while the 'tang' part visually represents a shield blocking something dangerous. Picture a shield being smeared with a protective coating to keep enemies at bay.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 搪 with similar characters like 挡 (dǎng), which also means to block but carries a slightly different nuance. This character is more commonly used in informal contexts, so be cautious when using it in formal writing. Common collocations might include 搪塞 (tángsè) meaning to evade, and 搪护 (tánghù) meaning to protect.
HSK Study Tips
Though 搪 is not currently included in the HSK lists, understanding it can help with grasping more complex ideas of evasion and protection in intermediate-level vocabulary. Focus on recognizing its components and how they relate to physical and metaphorical contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese martial arts, the concept of 'parrying' or 'blocking' is crucial, symbolizing not just physical defense but also mental strategy in overcoming obstacles. This character can represent the philosophical idea of evasion in conflict resolution.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 搪 with the character 挡 (dǎng), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我会搪这个问题' (I will block this question) instead of '我会挡这个问题' is incorrect. Use 搪 primarily in contexts of evasion or smearing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 搪
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Grammar Patterns of 搪
搪 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 7 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 4
Complete the Sentence
我问过她这件事，但她一味____塞。
I've asked her about it but she fobs me off.
Example Sentences for 搪 (3)
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1
我问过她这件事，但她一味搪塞。
wǒ wèn guò tā zhè jiàn shì， ， dàn tā yī wèi táng。
I've asked her about it but she fobs me off.
2
它是用铸铁制成，最后在外面搪了一层石墨。
tā shì yòng zhù tiě zhì chéng， ， zuì hòu zài wài miàn táng le yī céng shí。
Made from cast iron, it is finished in graphite enamel.
3
脱落搪瓷的碗
tuō luò táng cí de wǎn
a chipped enamel bowl
Cultural Notes for 搪
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese martial arts, the concept of 'parrying' or 'blocking' is crucial, symbolizing not just physical defense but also mental strategy in overcoming obstacles. This character can represent the philosophical idea of evasion in conflict resolution.
Word Family of 搪
Words Containing This Character4
搪塞to muddle through
搪瓷enamel
搪tángto keep out
推搪to stall
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 搪塞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 搪
It's not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in discussions about martial arts or metaphorically in strategic contexts.
You can think of 'tang' as the sound of a sword clashing, which relates to its meaning of blocking or parrying.
Common phrases include 搪塞 (to evade) and 搪护 (to protect), which highlight its versatility.
