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澄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chéng(of liquid) to settlens, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chéngclearns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chéngto become clearns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chénglimpidns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chéngto clarifyns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chéngto purifyns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chéngsurname Chengns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chéngclear, limpid, purens, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dèng(of liquid) to settlens, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dèngclearns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dèngto become clearns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dènglimpidns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dèngto clarifyns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dèngto purifyns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dèngsurname Chengns, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
dèngclear, limpid, purens, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #44400, Very Hard
chéng(cheng2)
primary
T2
  1. 1(of liquid) to settle
  2. 2clear
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(澂)chéng(cheng2)

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.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#44400DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, clear and pure water symbolizes wisdom and clarity of thought, making 澄 important in poetry and literature. This character often appears in discussions about environmental issues, emphasizing the value of clean water.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clear, sparkling lake where the water has settled perfectly. The character 澄 resembles a flowing stream (氵) and a 'pure' mind (青) that reflects the serene water, helping you remember that it means 'clear' or 'to clarify'.

Meanings of 澄

chéng(cheng2)
primary
1(of liquid) to settle
2clear
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 澄

Simplified
Traditional
15Strokes
Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#44400Frequency Rank

Podcast: 澄

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 澄

Quick Contrast

清 (qīng) — use 澄 when emphasizing settled clarity, while 清 focuses on general cleanliness or clarity without the settling aspect.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a clear, sparkling lake where the water has settled perfectly. The character 澄 resembles a flowing stream (氵) and a 'pure' mind (青) that reflects the serene water, helping you remember that it means 'clear' or 'to clarify'.

Usage Notes

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'.

HSK Study Tips

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.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, clear and pure water symbolizes wisdom and clarity of thought, making 澄 important in poetry and literature. This character often appears in discussions about environmental issues, emphasizing the value of clean water.

Common Mistakes

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.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 澄

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Etymology of 澄

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

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 登 represents the sound. Simplified form of 澂.

Memory Hint

water

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 澄?

Decomposition of 澄

IDS Structure⿰氵登
Full Character
=
shui3
left
deng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 澄?

Write 澄

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 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

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)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
本次初步会议的目标是澄清这些问题。

běn cì chū bù huì yì de mù biāo shì chéng qīng zhè xiē wèn tí。

The aim of this initial meeting is to clarify the issues.
2
他从未看到过像她那样澄绿的眼睛。

tā cóng wèi kàn dào guò xiàng tā nà yàng chéng lǜ de yǎn jīng。

He'd never seen eyes as green as hers.
3
澄清液在靠近池底的地方排出.

chéng qīng yè zài kào jìn chí dǐ de dì fāng pái chū.

Clatified liquor is withdrawn near the bottom.
4
举个例子将有助于澄清我的意思.

jǔ gè lì zǐ jiāng yǒu zhù yú chéng qīng wǒ de yì sī.

An example will help to clarify what I mean.
5
他在杯子里倒满了澄清的巴勃辣红酒.

tā zài bēi zǐ lǐ dǎo mǎn le chéng qīng de bā bó là hóng jiǔ.

He filled his glass with the clear red barbera.

Cultural Notes for 澄

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, clear and pure water symbolizes wisdom and clarity of thought, making 澄 important in poetry and literature. This character often appears in discussions about environmental issues, emphasizing the value of clean water.

Word Family of 澄

Words Containing This Character14
澄清chéngqīnglimpid
chéngclear
澄海Sea of serenity (Mare Serenitatis, on the moon)
澄澈limpid
澄海区Chenghai district of Shantou city 汕头市, Guangdong澄海區
黄澄澄glistening yellow黃澄澄
澄迈Chengmai County, Hainan澄邁
澄江Chengjiang county in Yuxi 玉溪[Yù​xī], east Yunnan, famous as lower Cambrian fossil site
澄迈县Chengmai County, Hainan澄邁縣
清澄limpid
澄城县Chengcheng County in Weinan 渭南[Wèi​nán], Shaanxi澄城縣
澄城Chengcheng County in Weinan 渭南[Wèi​nán], Shaanxi
澄江县Chengjiang county in Yuxi 玉溪[Yù​xī], Yunnan澄江縣
杨澄中Yang Chengzhong (1913-1987), Chinese nuclear physicist楊澄中
Exercise 1 of 4

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'.