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湘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
湘
xiāng
Hunan province; the Xiangjiang river
ns, 12 strokes, radical 氵
湘
xiāng
abbr. for Hunan 湖南 province in south central China
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 氵
湘
xiāng
abbr. for Xiangjiang river in Hunan province
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 氵
xiāng(Xiang1)xiang T1
1Hunan province; the Xiangjiang river
2abbr. for Hunan 湖南 province in south central China
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March 24, 2026
湘xiāng(Xiang1)
湘 (xiāng) refers to Hunan province in south-central China, as well as the Xiangjiang River that flows through this region. It is commonly used in geographical contexts and in discussions about local culture, cuisine, and history, as Hunan is known for its spicy food and rich cultural heritage.
Strokes12Radical氵
Cultural note
Hunan province is famous for its unique cuisine, particularly for its spiciness and use of fresh ingredients. It is also home to many historical figures and cultural practices, making 湘 a term deeply tied to regional identity.
Memory tip
Imagine a river (水) flowing through a scenic province full of spicy food (辣), where the 'xiāng' sound echoes like a refreshing breeze. Visualize the character 湘 with its flowing strokes resembling the movement of water, representing the Xiangjiang River that nurtures the land.
Meanings of 湘
xiāng(Xiang1)
1Hunan province; the Xiangjiang river
2abbr. for Hunan 湖南 province in south central China
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 湘 means.
About 湘
湘Simplified
12Strokes
氵Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 湘
Podcast: 湘
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AI study notes for 湘
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 湘 with similar-sounding characters or using it in non-geographical contexts. It's primarily used in formal registers when discussing regions or geography, so be cautious with tone and context.
HSK Study Tips
湘 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects to other geographical terms. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in place names and cultural references, which will enhance their understanding of regional discussions in Mandarin.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 湘 with other province names like 陕西 (Shanxi) or use it incorrectly in casual conversations. For example, saying 我去湘 instead of 我去湖南 (I am going to Hunan) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 湘
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 湘 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.
湘 = 氵 + 相. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 湘
IDS Structure⿰氵相
湘Full character
=
氵shui3
left
相Xiang1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 湘?
How to say Hunan province; the Xiangjiang river in Chinese
“Hunan province; the Xiangjiang river” in Chinese is湘xiāng
湘 (xiāng) refers to Hunan province in south-central China, as well as the Xiangjiang River that flows through this region. It is commonly used in geographical contexts and in discussions about local culture, cuisine, and history, as Hunan is known for its spicy food and rich cultural heritage.
When to use 湘
Common mistakes include confusing 湘 with similar-sounding characters or using it in non-geographical contexts. It's primarily used in formal registers when discussing regions or geography, so be cautious with tone and context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 湘 with other province names like 陕西 (Shanxi) or use it incorrectly in casual conversations. For example, saying 我去湘 instead of 我去湖南 (I am going to Hunan) is incorrect.
Write 湘
湘
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Practice writing 湘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 湘
湘 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
分三大方言: ____西 、 黔东和川黔滇.
Three major dialects: western Hunan , eastern Guizhou , and Sichuan , Guizhou and Yunnan.
