Meanings of 澄
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 澄
Podcast: 澄
Podcast: 澄
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 澄
清 (qīng) — use 澄 when emphasizing settled clarity, while 清 focuses on general cleanliness or clarity without the settling aspect.
澄 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, often in literary or poetic language to describe clear waters or clarity of thought. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 成 (chéng), which means 'to become' or 'to accomplish'.
Although 澄 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is useful for students at the HSK 3-4 level who are expanding their descriptive language. Focus on its usage in contexts discussing nature, clarity, and purity to enhance your vocabulary.
Learners often confuse 澄 (chéng) with similar characters like 清 (qīng), leading to incorrect usage when describing clarity. For example, saying '水清了' (shuǐ qīng le) instead of '水澄了' (shuǐ chéng le) can change the meaning from 'the water is clear' to a more general statement that lacks the nuance of settling.
Pronunciation of 澄
Drill the tone of 澄 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 澄
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 登 represents the sound. Simplified form of 澂.
water
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 澄
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 登 represents the sound. Simplified form of 澂.
- 1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half登 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaywater
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 澄? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 澄?
Decomposition of 澄
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 澄?
How to say surname Cheng in Chinese
“surname Cheng” in Chinese is澄
The character 澄 (chéng) primarily refers to the clarity and purity of a liquid. It is often used in contexts concerning water or other fluids that have settled to become clear and free of impurities. Additionally, it can imply the act of clarifying or purifying something, both literally and metaphorically.
When to use 澄
澄 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, often in literary or poetic language to describe clear waters or clarity of thought. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 成 (chéng), which means 'to become' or 'to accomplish'.
澄 or something close to it
清 (qīng) — use 澄 when emphasizing settled clarity, while 清 focuses on general cleanliness or clarity without the settling aspect.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 澄 (chéng) with similar characters like 清 (qīng), leading to incorrect usage when describing clarity. For example, saying '水清了' (shuǐ qīng le) instead of '水澄了' (shuǐ chéng le) can change the meaning from 'the water is clear' to a more general statement that lacks the nuance of settling.
Write 澄
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 澄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 澄
澄 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 8 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.
Complete the Sentence
本次初步会议的目标是____清这些问题。
The aim of this initial meeting is to clarify the issues.
Example Sentences for 澄 (5)
Word Family of 澄
Compound Meaning
What does 澄清 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 澄
You can say '水澄了' (shuǐ chéng le), meaning 'the water has settled/clarified'.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 澄?
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.