Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
攘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
攘rǎngto usurp, to seize; to repelvg, 20 strokes, radical 扌, rank #49214, Very Hard
攘rǎngto push up one's sleevesunknown, 20 strokes, radical 扌, rank #49214, Very Hard
攘rǎngto reject or resistunknown, 20 strokes, radical 扌, rank #49214, Very Hard
攘rǎngto perturbunknown, 20 strokes, radical 扌, rank #49214, Very Hard
攘rǎngto stealunknown, 20 strokes, radical 扌, rank #49214, Very Hard
rǎng(rang3) T3
  1. 1to usurp, to seize; to repel
  2. 2to push up one's sleeves
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

攘rǎng(rang3)

The character 攘 (rǎng) primarily means to usurp or seize something, often in a context of forceful taking or repelling. It can also imply the act of rejecting or resisting something, as well as the physical action of pushing up one's sleeves, suggesting readiness for action. This character is often used in formal contexts or literary works.

Strokes20Radical扌Frequency#49214DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of usurping power has deep roots, often tied to dynastic changes and revolts. The character 攘 can evoke imagery of historical figures who seized power in tumultuous times, reflecting the complex relationship with authority in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong figure (representing 'rǎng') usurping a throne, pushing up their sleeves, ready to take charge. The radical 攴 suggests action or movement, which connects to the idea of seizing or repelling. Visualize this figure forcefully pushing away obstacles in their path.

Meanings of 攘

rǎng(rang3)
1to usurp, to seize; to repel
2to push up one's sleeves
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 攘

攘Simplified
20Strokes
扌Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 攘

JasonAmy

Podcast: 攘

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 攘

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 攘 with similar characters like 让 (ràng), which means to yield or let someone else do something. 攘 is typically used in formal contexts, while casual speech may favor more straightforward terms. Pay attention to the tone; a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 攘 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it can be linked to words about conflict or resistance, such as 抵抗 (dǐkàng, to resist). Focus on understanding the contexts in which it appears, often in classical literature or formal discussions about power dynamics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 攘 with 让 (ràng), which leads to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我会让这个' (I will seize this) instead of '我会攘这个' is incorrect; 攘 should be used to convey the meaning of seizing or repelling actions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 攘

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 攘 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 攘

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 襄 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)襄
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 攘

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 襄 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half襄 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhand
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 攘? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 攘?

Decomposition of 攘

IDS Structure⿰扌襄
攘Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
襄Xiang1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 攘?

How to say to usurp, to seize; to repel in Chinese

“to usurp, to seize; to repel” in Chinese is攘rǎng

The character 攘 (rǎng) primarily means to usurp or seize something, often in a context of forceful taking or repelling. It can also imply the act of rejecting or resisting something, as well as the physical action of pushing up one's sleeves, suggesting readiness for action. This character is often used in formal contexts or literary works.

When to use 攘

Learners often confuse 攘 with similar characters like 让 (ràng), which means to yield or let someone else do something. 攘 is typically used in formal contexts, while casual speech may favor more straightforward terms. Pay attention to the tone; a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 攘 with 让 (ràng), which leads to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我会让这个' (I will seize this) instead of '我会攘这个' is incorrect; 攘 should be used to convey the meaning of seizing or repelling actions.

Write 攘

攘

Practice writing 攘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 攘

攘 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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

集市上熙熙____攘挤满了买卖东西的人。

The marketplace was jammed with a noisy crowd of buyers and sellers.

Example Sentences for 攘 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
集市上熙熙攘攘挤满了买卖东西的人。

jí shì shàng xī xī rǎng rǎng jǐ mǎn le mǎi mài dōng xī de rén。

The marketplace was jammed with a noisy crowd of buyers and sellers.
2
我们在多塞特熙熙攘攘的郡首府多切斯特相遇。

wǒ mén zài duō sāi tè xī xī rǎng rǎng de jùn shǒu fǔ duō qiē sī tè xiāng yù。

We met in Dorchester, Dorset's bustling county town.

Word Family of 攘

Words Containing This Character9
熙熙攘攘xīxīrǎngrǎngbustling with activity (idiom)
攘rǎngto seize
熙攘restless
熙来攘往a place buzzing with activity (idiom)熙來攘往
攘夺to seize攘奪
攘袂to rise to action with a determined shake of the arms
攘外安内to resist foreign aggression and pacify the interior of the country (idiom)攘外安內
攘除to get rid of
攘灾to avoid disaster攘災
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 熙熙攘攘 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 攘

It is primarily used in formal or literary contexts related to seizing power or resisting something.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 攘?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.