Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
洋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
洋
yáng
ocean
HSK 6, ag, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7581, Hard
洋
yáng
vast
HSK 6, ag, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7581, Hard
洋
yáng
foreign
HSK 6, ag, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7581, Hard
洋
yáng
silver dollar or coin
HSK 6, ag, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7581, Hard
洋
yáng
sea, ocean; western, foreign
HSK 6, ag, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #7581, Hard
yáng(yang2)yang T2
1ocean
2vast
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
洋yáng(yang2)
The character 洋 (yáng) primarily denotes the concept of the ocean or sea. It can also imply something vast or foreign, particularly in a cultural context. This character is often used to describe things related to the West or Western influences.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#7581DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the term 洋 often relates to Western influences, particularly in the context of modernization. The term can evoke both admiration and critique of Western customs and products.
Memory tip
Imagine a large ocean (洋) where foreign ships (洋) come and go, symbolizing vastness and different cultures. The character's left side resembles waves while the right side suggests something flowing or foreign.
Meanings of 洋
yáng(yang2)
1ocean
2vast
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
Play it, then pick what 洋 means.
About 洋
洋Simplified
9Strokes
氵Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#7581Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 洋
Podcast: 洋
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 洋
Quick Contrast
洋 (yáng) vs 海 (hǎi) — use 洋 when emphasizing foreign or Western aspects, while 海 refers specifically to the sea or ocean itself.
Usage Notes
洋 is often used in compound words like '洋葱' (yángcōng, onion) or '洋房' (yángfáng, Western-style house). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '阳' (yáng, sun), which has a completely different meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 洋 is not officially on the HSK list, it connects well with words like 海 (hǎi, sea) and 外国 (wàiguó, foreign country), which are essential vocabulary at lower HSK levels. Focus on recognizing its usage in compound words.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 洋 with similar characters like 阳 or 羊. For example, saying '阳的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, sun's scenery) instead of '洋的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, ocean's scenery) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洋
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 洋, 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 洋 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 洋?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 洋 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.
洋 = 氵 + 羊. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 洋
IDS Structure⿰氵羊
洋Full character
=
氵shui3
left
羊Yang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 洋?
How to say ocean in Chinese
“ocean” in Chinese is洋yáng
The character 洋 (yáng) primarily denotes the concept of the ocean or sea. It can also imply something vast or foreign, particularly in a cultural context. This character is often used to describe things related to the West or Western influences.
When to use 洋
洋 is often used in compound words like '洋葱' (yángcōng, onion) or '洋房' (yángfáng, Western-style house). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '阳' (yáng, sun), which has a completely different meaning.
洋 or something close to it
洋 (yáng) vs 海 (hǎi) — use 洋 when emphasizing foreign or Western aspects, while 海 refers specifically to the sea or ocean itself.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 洋 with similar characters like 阳 or 羊. For example, saying '阳的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, sun's scenery) instead of '洋的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, ocean's scenery) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 洋
洋
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 洋 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 洋
洋 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我看见人们出____相并不幸灾乐祸。
I find no pleasure in seeing people make asses of themselves.
Common confusions with 洋
洋vs样
yàng
Similar pronunciation and radical, but different meanings.
洋vs阳
yáng
Same pronunciation, different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “ocean”?
or
Example sentences for 洋 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我看见人们出洋相并不幸灾乐祸。
wǒ kànjiàn rénmen chūyángxiàng bìng búxìng zāi lè huò。
I find no pleasure in seeing people make asses of themselves.
tā déyì yáng yáng dì zhàn zài tāmen zhōngjiān， wèi shòu rén zhǔmù ér gāoxìng。
She stood preening in their midst, delighted with the attention.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 洋?
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 洋
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While 洋 emphasizes the vastness and foreignness of the ocean and cultures in Chinese, Western cultures might use 'ocean' more literally and less metaphorically in describing foreign influences.
Word Family of 洋
Words containing this character20
海洋hǎiyángocean
洋yángocean
太平洋tàipíngyángPacific Ocean
洋葱yángcōngbulb onion洋蔥
大西洋dàxīyángAtlantic Ocean
大洋dàyángoceans
洋娃娃yángwáwadoll (of Western appearance)
西洋xīyángthe West (Europe and North America)
洋溢yángyìbrimming with
印度洋yìndùyángIndian Ocean
巡洋舰xúnyángjiàncruiser (warship)巡洋艦
汪洋wāngyángvast body of water
远洋yuǎnyángdistant seas遠洋
洋气yángqìtrendy洋氣
洋人yángrénforeigner
南洋nányángSoutheast Asia
懒洋洋lǎnyāngyānglazily懶洋洋
得意洋洋déyìyángyángjoyfully satisfied
大洋洲DàyángzhōuOceania
热情洋溢rèqíngyángyìbrimming with enthusiasm (idiom); full of warmth熱情洋溢
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 洋
What does 海洋 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 洋
In Chinese, 洋 is often used to denote things that are foreign or Western, such as in the term 洋货 (yánghuò), which means 'foreign goods'. This usage highlights the character's association with the idea of being vast or outside the local culture.
Common phrases that include 洋 are 洋葱 (yángcōng), which means 'onion', and 洋房 (yángfáng), meaning 'Western-style house'. These phrases reflect the use of 洋 in both culinary and architectural contexts.
You can use 洋 in sentences like '这片洋面很广阔' (Zhè piàn yángmiàn hěn guǎngkuò), which means 'This ocean area is vast.' It is often used in contexts related to geography or to describe things that are foreign.
洋 (yáng) primarily means 'ocean' or 'vast'. It can also refer to 'foreign' when used in contexts such as 洋人 (yángrén), meaning 'foreigners'. Additionally, it can denote a silver dollar or coin in certain historical contexts.
It's commonly used to refer to Western things, like '洋货' (yánghuò, foreign goods) or in phrases describing the sea.
洋 refers to the ocean or vast waters, while 海 specifically means sea, usually smaller than an ocean.
Yes, 洋 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing foreign concepts or items.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 洋?
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.
