Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
松(鬆)sōng(song1)
The character 松 (sōng) primarily means 'pine' and refers to the pine tree, which is often associated with resilience and longevity in Chinese culture. It can also mean 'to loosen' or 'to relax,' commonly used in contexts where one is easing tension or releasing something tightly held. This duality in meaning allows the character to be used in both natural and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes8Radical木Frequency#2603DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the pine tree is a symbol of endurance and strength, often featured in poetry and art as an emblem of resilience against harsh conditions. It's frequently associated with the idea of staying steadfast and unwavering, especially in the face of adversity.
Memory tip
Think of 松 (sōng) as a 'song' that brings you to a peaceful pine forest where you can relax. The character resembles a tree with branches and a trunk, representing the pine tree, while the sound 'sōng' can remind you of a soothing tune that helps you relax.
Meanings of 松
sōng(song1)
1loose
2pine
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 松 means.
About 松
松Simplified
鬆Traditional
8Strokes
木Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2603Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2BCT✓CEFRB1
Podcast: 松
Podcast: 松
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 松
Quick Contrast
松 (sōng) vs 放 (fàng) — use 松 when referring specifically to 'loosen' or 'relax' in a context of easing tension, while 放 is more about 'release' or 'let go' in a broader sense.
Usage Notes
When using 松, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words like 送 (sòng), which means 'to send.' It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in everyday speech when referring to relaxation. Common collocations include 松弛 (sōngchí), meaning 'to relax' and 松树 (sōngshù), meaning 'pine tree.'
HSK Study Tips
松 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary lists, but it is relevant for learners at higher levels who want to expand their understanding of nature-related vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing the character's appearance and practicing its pronunciation, as well as its use in idiomatic expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 松 (sōng) with 送 (sòng) due to their similar pronunciations. For example, saying '我松你去' (Wǒ sōng nǐ qù) instead of '我送你去' (Wǒ sòng nǐ qù) which means 'I will send you.' Make sure to remember the correct context for each character.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 松
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 松, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 松 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 松?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 松 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.
松 = 木 + 公. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 松
IDS Structure⿰木公
松Full character
=
木Mu4
left
公gong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 松?
How to say loose in Chinese
“loose” in Chinese is松sōng
The character 松 (sōng) primarily means 'pine' and refers to the pine tree, which is often associated with resilience and longevity in Chinese culture. It can also mean 'to loosen' or 'to relax,' commonly used in contexts where one is easing tension or releasing something tightly held. This duality in meaning allows the character to be used in both natural and metaphorical contexts.
When to use 松
When using 松, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words like 送 (sòng), which means 'to send.' It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in everyday speech when referring to relaxation. Common collocations include 松弛 (sōngchí), meaning 'to relax' and 松树 (sōngshù), meaning 'pine tree.'
松 or something close to it
松 (sōng) vs 放 (fàng) — use 松 when referring specifically to 'loosen' or 'relax' in a context of easing tension, while 放 is more about 'release' or 'let go' in a broader sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 松 (sōng) with 送 (sòng) due to their similar pronunciations. For example, saying '我松你去' (Wǒ sōng nǐ qù) instead of '我送你去' (Wǒ sòng nǐ qù) which means 'I will send you.' Make sure to remember the correct context for each character.
Write 松
松
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 松 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 松
松 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 6 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.
tā shēn zhe yī jiàn tiáo wén chènshān hé yī tiáo kuānsōng de lán kùzi。
He was wearing a stripy shirt and baggy blue trousers.
9
轻松捞取利润的可能性吸引了一拨不良商人。
qīngsōng lāo qǔ lìrùn de kěnéng xìng xīyǐn le yī bō bùliáng shāngrén。
The prospect of easy profits has attracted the wrong kind of businessman.
10
你在家度过了一段轻松时光。
nǐ zàijiā dùguò le yī duàn qīngsōng shíguāng。
You had an easy time of it at home.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 松?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 松
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the pine tree (松) symbolizes longevity and resilience. Pine trees can thrive in harsh environments, making them a symbol of strength and endurance in Chinese art and literature.
Word Family of 松
Compounds8
鬆sōngpine tree; fir tree
凇sōngdewdrop; icicle
崧sōngtall mountain; lofty, eminent
淞sōnga river in Jiangsu province
菘sōngcelery, cabbage
倯sōng
硹sōng
蜙sōng
Words containing this character20
放松fàngsōngto loosen放鬆
轻松qīngsōnglight輕鬆
松sōngloose鬆
宽松kuānsōngrelaxed寬鬆
松开sōngkāito release鬆開
马拉松mǎlāsōngmarathon (loanword)馬拉松
松鼠sōngshǔsquirrel
松下sōngxiàMatsushita (name)
松手sōngshǒuto let go鬆手
松子sōngzǐpine nut
松弛sōngchíto relax鬆弛
尼克松níkèsōngsurname Nixon
松动sōngdòngloose鬆動
疏松shūsōngto loosen疏鬆
松懈sōngxièto relax鬆懈
松树sōngshùpine松樹
松散sōngsanto relax鬆散
松花江sōnghuājiāngSonghua River in Jilin province 吉林省 through Harbin 哈尔滨, a tributary of Heilongjiang 黑龍江|黑龙江
蓬松péngsōngfluffy蓬鬆
松软sōngruǎnflexible鬆軟
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 松
What does 鬆 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 松
Common phrases include '放松' (fàngsōng), which means 'to relax,' and '松开' (sōngkāi), meaning 'to loosen.' These phrases showcase the versatility of the character in different contexts.
Yes, 松 (sōng) is a common surname in China. Like many Chinese surnames, it has historical significance and is shared by many families across the country.
松 (sōng) means 'pine' in Chinese, referring to the pine tree. It can also mean 'to loosen' or 'to relax.' Additionally, it is a common surname in China.
You can use 松 (sōng) in sentences like '这棵松树很高' (This pine tree is very tall) or '我想松一下肩膀' (I want to relax my shoulders). It can describe both the physical tree and the action of loosening or relaxing.
松 can refer to both the pine tree and the act of loosening or relaxing, depending on the context.
You can say '我想松一下' (Wǒ xiǎng sōng yīxià) to mean 'I want to relax a bit.'
Yes, 松 (Sōng) can also be a surname in Chinese.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 松?
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.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
