Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
橡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
xiàngoakn, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #14081, Hard
xiàngQuercus serratan, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #14081, Hard
xiàngchestnut oak; rubber tree; rubbern, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #14081, Hard
xiàng(xiang4) T4
  1. 1oak
  2. 2Quercus serrata
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
xiàng(xiang4)

The character 橡 (xiàng) primarily refers to types of oak trees, particularly the chestnut oak and the rubber tree. It is commonly used in botanical contexts and can also denote the material rubber derived from these trees, which has various industrial applications.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#14081DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, oak trees are often associated with strength and durability, and rubber trees play a significant role in the economy of southern China, where rubber plantations are common.

Memory Tip

Imagine a huge oak tree (橡) with strong branches. The left part (木) represents wood, while the right part sounds like 'xiàng' which you can remember by thinking of 'sang' as in 'sang a song under the oak tree'.

Meanings of 橡

xiàng(xiang4)
1oak
2Quercus serrata
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 橡

Simplified
15Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#14081Frequency Rank

Podcast: 橡

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 橡

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a huge oak tree (橡) with strong branches. The left part (木) represents wood, while the right part sounds like 'xiàng' which you can remember by thinking of 'sang' as in 'sang a song under the oak tree'.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 橡 with similar characters like 橙 (chéng, orange) or 树 (shù, tree). This word is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about trees or materials. Collocations include 橡树 (xiàng shù, oak tree) and 橡胶 (xiàng jiāo, rubber).

HSK Study Tips

While 橡 is not a part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding its components can help learners connect to other words related to trees and materials, like 木 (mù, wood) or 树 (shù, tree). Focus on recognizing its structure and pronunciation in context.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, oak trees are often associated with strength and durability, and rubber trees play a significant role in the economy of southern China, where rubber plantations are common.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 橡 with similar characters like 橙 (orange), leading to incorrect meanings. Always remember that 橡 specifically relates to oak and rubber, not fruit.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 橡

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 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 橡

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

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 象 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 橡?

Decomposition of 橡

IDS Structure⿰木象
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
xiang4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 橡?

Write 橡

Practice writing 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 橡

橡 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 3 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

Complete the Sentence

一棵棵高大____树的枝条随风摇摆。

The wind was bouncing the branches of the big oak trees.

Example Sentences for 橡 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
一棵棵高大橡树的枝条随风摇摆。

yī kē kē gāo dà xiàng shù de zhī tiáo suí fēng yáo bǎi。

The wind was bouncing the branches of the big oak trees.
2
他是个大块头,结实得像棵橡树。

tā shì gè dà kuài tóu, , jié shí dé xiàng kē xiàng。

He was a huge man, built like an oak tree.
3
切辣椒时要戴橡胶手套,因为辣椒会刺激皮肤。

qiē là jiāo shí yào dài xiàng jiāo shǒu tào, , yīn wéi là jiāo huì cì jī pí。

Wear rubber gloves while chopping chillies as they can irritate the skin.
4
盘根错节的老橡树根

pán gēn cuò jié de lǎo xiàng shù gēn

the knotty roots of the old oak tree
5
多节瘤的老橡树

duō jié liú de lǎo xiàng shù

a gnarled old oak tree
6
清理猫粪时要带上橡胶手套。

qīng lǐ māo fèn shí yào dài shàng xiàng jiāo shǒu tào。

Wear rubber gloves when handling cat litter.
7
密封材料: O形或U形密封圈; 丁晴橡胶 、 氟橡胶.

mì fēng cái liào:O : O xíngU huò U xíng mì; fēng quān ; dīng、 qíng xiàng jiāo.

Sealing Material : O - shape or U - shape seal ring; butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, fluorine rubber.
8
在一张宽大的橡树桌上摆放着一盒盒中式食品。

zài yī zhāng kuān dà de xiàng shù zhuō shàng bǎi fàng zháo yī hé hé zhōng shì shí pǐn。

Cartons of Chinese food were arrayed on a large oak table.
9
橡胶燃烧的气味不好闻.

xiàng jiāo rán shāo de qì wèi bù hǎo wén.

The smell of burning rubber is not pleasant.
10
瑞秋, 为何我的肉桂棒上有橡皮擦?

ruì qiū, , wéi hé wǒ de ròu guì bàng shàng yǒu xiàng pí?

Rach, why does my cinnamon stick have an eraser?

Cultural Notes for 橡

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, oak trees are often associated with strength and durability, and rubber trees play a significant role in the economy of southern China, where rubber plantations are common.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, oak trees symbolize strength and endurance, similar to their representation in Chinese culture, but the practical significance of rubber trees is less pronounced.

Word Family of 橡

Words Containing This Character13
橡胶xiàngjiāorubber橡膠
橡皮xiàngpírubber
橡树oak橡樹
xiàngoak
橡木oaken
橡皮筋rubber band
橡皮擦eraser
橡胶树rubber tree橡膠樹
硅橡胶silicone rubber硅橡膠
橡皮膏sticking plaster
橡实acorn橡實
氯丁橡胶neoprene氯丁橡膠
橡皮线cable橡皮線
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 橡胶 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 橡

橡 (xiàng) specifically refers to the oak tree or rubber tree, while 树 (shù) is a general term for any tree. In other words, all 橡 are 树, but not all 树 are 橡. Understanding the context is key when using these terms in conversation.