The character 牚 (chēng) is a variant of 撐 (chēng), which means 'to support' or 'to prop up.' It is often used in contexts involving physical support or reinforcement, as well as abstract support in discussions about ideas or emotions. Its usage is less common, and you may encounter it in specific regional dialects or older texts.
12 strokes, radical 牙, Very Hard
chēng(cheng1) T1
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March 24, 2026
牚chēng(cheng1)
The character 牚 (chēng) is a variant of 撐 (chēng), which means 'to support' or 'to prop up.' It is often used in contexts involving physical support or reinforcement, as well as abstract support in discussions about ideas or emotions. Its usage is less common, and you may encounter it in specific regional dialects or older texts.
Strokes12Radical牙Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese architecture, the concept of support is vital, as structures often rely on beams and columns for stability. The character 牚 can symbolize the importance of strong foundations in both literal and metaphorical senses in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong, sturdy fence (the character 牚) holding up a heavy load. The left side of the character resembles the legs of a strong person, while the right side represents the weight being supported. This visual can help you remember that 牚 means to support or prop up.
About 牚
牚Simplified
12Strokes
牙Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 牚
Podcast: 牚
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AI Study Notes for 牚
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong, sturdy fence (the character 牚) holding up a heavy load. The left side of the character resembles the legs of a strong person, while the right side represents the weight being supported. This visual can help you remember that 牚 means to support or prop up.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 牚 with similar characters that have different meanings, such as 承 (chéng), which means 'to bear' or 'to undertake.' This character is more formal and may not be used in everyday conversation; it is essential to understand its context. Common collocations include phrases involving emotional or physical support.
HSK Study Tips
Although 牚 is not included in HSK levels, it is beneficial to understand its connection to 撐, which is commonly found in HSK. Focus on the usage of 撐 in various contexts to grasp the meaning and nuances of 牚, as they are closely related.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese architecture, the concept of support is vital, as structures often rely on beams and columns for stability. The character 牚 can symbolize the importance of strong foundations in both literal and metaphorical senses in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 牚 with 撐 due to their similar meanings, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我需要牚这个桌子' (I need to 牚 this table) should be corrected to '我需要撑这个桌子.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牚
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Cultural Notes for 牚
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese architecture, the concept of support is vital, as structures often rely on beams and columns for stability. The character 牚 can symbolize the importance of strong foundations in both literal and metaphorical senses in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 牚
Words Containing This Character1
牚chēngto support
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 牚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 牚
No, 牚 is a variant of 撐 and is not commonly used in modern Mandarin; it's more likely to be found in historical texts.
You can remember the pronunciation 'chēng' by associating it with the similar-sounding English word 'change,' as both involve support in different contexts.
There are no widely recognized idiomatic expressions specifically using 牚, but it can be used in contexts that involve support, similar to 撐.
