HSK 7, v, 20 strokes, radical 氵, rank #5182, Very Hard
灌
guàn
to pour
HSK 7, v, 20 strokes, radical 氵, rank #5182, Very Hard
灌
guàn
to install (software)
HSK 7, v, 20 strokes, radical 氵, rank #5182, Very Hard
灌
guàn
to record (music)
HSK 7, v, 20 strokes, radical 氵, rank #5182, Very Hard
灌
guàn
to water, to irrigate; to pour; to flood
HSK 7, v, 20 strokes, radical 氵, rank #5182, Very Hard
guàn(guan4)guan T4
1to irrigate
2to pour
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March 24, 2026
灌guàn(guan4)
The character 灌 (guàn) primarily means to irrigate or pour, often used in contexts related to watering plants or supplying water to fields. It can also mean to install software or to record music, showcasing its versatility in both agricultural and technological fields.
Strokes20Radical氵Frequency#5182DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, irrigation is vital for agriculture, reflecting the importance of water management in farming practices. The character 灌 is often associated with traditional farming techniques, emphasizing the connection between nature and sustenance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gardener pouring water (灌) over a plant to help it grow. The character features the radical for fire (火), suggesting the importance of water in sustaining life, while the '官' component sounds like 'guan' to remind you to 'pour' the water carefully.
Meanings of 灌
guàn(guan4)
1to irrigate
2to pour
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 灌 means.
About 灌
灌Simplified
20Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5182Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 灌
Podcast: 灌
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AI Study Notes for 灌
Quick Contrast
灌 (guàn) vs 注 (zhù) — use 灌 for pouring or irrigating, while 注 is specifically for pouring into a container or a more precise application.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 灌 (guàn) with other similar-sounding verbs; it specifically refers to the act of pouring or irrigating. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about agriculture or technology. Common collocations include 灌溉 (irrigate) and 灌录 (record).
HSK Study Tips
Although not on the official HSK list, 灌 can be connected to Level 3 vocabulary related to actions and processes. Students should focus on its various usages, especially in agricultural contexts and technology, to enhance their understanding of modern life in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 灌 with the verb 倒 (dào), which also means to pour but without the specific agricultural context. For example, saying '我需要倒水' (wǒ xūyào dào shuǐ) instead of '我需要灌水' (wǒ xūyào guàn shuǐ) can lead to misunderstandings about the action intended.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 灌
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How Well Do You Know 灌?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 灌 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.
灌 = 氵 + 雚. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 灌
IDS Structure⿰氵雚
灌Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
雚guan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 灌?
How to say to irrigate in Chinese
“to irrigate” in Chinese is灌guàn
The character 灌 (guàn) primarily means to irrigate or pour, often used in contexts related to watering plants or supplying water to fields. It can also mean to install software or to record music, showcasing its versatility in both agricultural and technological fields.
When to use 灌
Be careful not to confuse 灌 (guàn) with other similar-sounding verbs; it specifically refers to the act of pouring or irrigating. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about agriculture or technology. Common collocations include 灌溉 (irrigate) and 灌录 (record).
灌 or something close to it
灌 (guàn) vs 注 (zhù) — use 灌 for pouring or irrigating, while 注 is specifically for pouring into a container or a more precise application.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 灌 with the verb 倒 (dào), which also means to pour but without the specific agricultural context. For example, saying '我需要倒水' (wǒ xūyào dào shuǐ) instead of '我需要灌水' (wǒ xūyào guàn shuǐ) can lead to misunderstandings about the action intended.
Write 灌
灌
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Practice writing 灌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 灌
灌 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
执行死刑的动机是要____输恐惧。
The motive of the executions would be to instil fear.
