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March 24, 2026
洪hóng(Hong2)
The character 洪 (hóng) primarily means 'flood' or 'deluge', indicating a large quantity of water. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something immense or great, such as in size or significance. In addition, it is a common Chinese surname.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#12001DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, floods have historically had significant impacts on agriculture and settlement patterns, making the term 洪 particularly relevant in discussions about natural disasters. The character is often associated with cautionary tales and lessons in managing water resources.
Memory Tip
Imagine a huge ocean wave crashing down, representing a massive flood. The character 洪 has a radical that resembles water (氵), which connects to its meaning of flood, while the pronunciation 'hóng' sounds like 'hong', a loud sound that might echo during a storm.
Meanings of 洪
hóng(Hong2)
1flood
2big
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 洪
洪Simplified
9Strokes
氵Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#12001Frequency Rank
Podcast: 洪
Podcast: 洪
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AI Study Notes for 洪
Quick Contrast
洪 (hóng, flood) vs 津 (jīn, ferry or crossing) — choose 洪 when referring specifically to a large volume of water or deluge.
Usage Notes
洪 is often used in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful with its usage as a surname; it is a common last name and should not be confused with its meanings related to water. Common collocations include 洪水 (hóngshuǐ), meaning flood water.
HSK Study Tips
Although 洪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other water-related characters such as 水 (shuǐ) and 流 (liú). Students should focus on recognizing its visual components and pronunciation to distinguish it in various contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 洪 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. For example, using 洪 in place of 红 (hóng, meaning red) changes the meaning entirely. Always remember the context to avoid this mistake.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洪
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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.
The character 洪 (hóng) primarily means 'flood' or 'deluge', indicating a large quantity of water. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something immense or great, such as in size or significance. In addition, it is a common Chinese surname.
When to use 洪
洪 is often used in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful with its usage as a surname; it is a common last name and should not be confused with its meanings related to water. Common collocations include 洪水 (hóngshuǐ), meaning flood water.
洪 or something close to it
洪 (hóng, flood) vs 津 (jīn, ferry or crossing) — choose 洪 when referring specifically to a large volume of water or deluge.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 洪 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. For example, using 洪 in place of 红 (hóng, meaning red) changes the meaning entirely. Always remember the context to avoid this mistake.
Write 洪
洪
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Grammar Patterns of 洪
洪 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 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
传染病正在遭受____灾的很多灾民中蔓延。
Infectious diseases are spreading among many of the flood victims.
The flooding led to six-mile tailbacks between west London and Heathrow Airport.
10
对洪水的预测并不是一门精确科学。
duì hóng shuǐ de yù cè bìng bù shì yī mén jīng què kē xué。
Forecasting floods is not an exact science.
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Word Family of 洪
Compounds4
篊
葓
鍙
霟
Words Containing This Character18
洪水hóngshuǐdeluge
洪hóngflood
防洪flood control
洪都拉斯Honduras
洪流a powerful current
洪涝flood洪澇
洪灾flood洪災
山洪mountain flash flood
洪亮hóngliàngresonant
抗洪to fight a flood
洪武Hongwu Emperor, also written Hung-wu Ti, reign name of first Ming emperor Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋[ZhūYuánzhāng] (1328-1398), reigned 1386-1398, Temple name 明太祖[MíngTàizǔ]
泄洪flood discharge洩洪
洪水猛兽fig. great scourges洪水猛獸
李洪志Li Hongzhi (1951-), founder of Falun Gong 法輪功|法轮功[Fǎlúngōng]
洪门Tiandihui (Chinese fraternal organization)洪門
王洪文Wang Hongwen (1935-1992), one of the Gang of Four
洪湖Honghu county level city in Jingzhou 荊州|荆州[Jīngzhōu], Hubei
洪秀全Hong Xiuquan or Hung Hsiu-ch'üan (1814-1864), leader of the Taiping rebellion or Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 洪
What does 洪水 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 洪
In everyday conversation, 洪 usually refers to a flood or something that is vast, such as '洪水' for flood water.
Yes, 洪 is a common Chinese surname and can be seen in various contexts, including in names of notable figures.
The correct pronunciation is 'hóng', with a rising tone. It is important to stress the tone to convey the correct meaning.
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