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甕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
甕wèngurnzg, 17 strokes, radical 瓦
wèng(weng4)weng T4
  1. 1urn
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March 24, 2026

甕wèng(weng4)

The character 甕 (wèng) refers to a type of large, typically earthenware urn or jar used for storage, especially for liquids like wine or rice. It is often found in traditional Chinese households and can symbolize preservation and aging, particularly in the context of fermented foods and beverages.

Strokes17Radical瓦
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 甕 is often used in the production of traditional fermented foods, such as pickled vegetables and rice wines, highlighting its importance in food preservation techniques.

Memory tip

Imagine a big, round urn at a family gathering, filled with rice wine. The shape of the character 甕 resembles the circular top of a jar, while the 'wèng' pronunciation can be imagined as a sound made when someone opens the lid of a heavy urn.

Meanings of 甕

wèng(weng4)
1urn
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 甕 means.

About 甕

甕Simplified
17Strokes
瓦Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 甕

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Podcast: 甕

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AI study notes for 甕

Usage Notes

This word is relatively formal and may not be used in everyday conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar characters for 'container' or 'vessel.' Remember that its usage is often tied to cultural contexts involving storage and preservation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 甕 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for learners interested in traditional culture. Students should focus on recognizing it in context, especially in literature or discussions about food and drink.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 甕 with the character 瓶 (píng), which means 'bottle.' For example, saying '我有一个甕' (I have a bottle) is incorrect; it should be '我有一个瓶.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 甕

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Etymology of 甕

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

Phonosemantic compound. 瓦 represents the meaning and 公 represents the sound. Originally written as 公.

Memory hint

pottery

Semantic (meaning)瓦
+
Phonetic (sound)雍
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

甕 = 瓦 + 雍. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 甕

IDS Structure⿱雍瓦
甕Full character
=
雍Yong1
top
瓦wa3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 甕?

How to say urn in Chinese

“urn” in Chinese is甕wèng

The character 甕 (wèng) refers to a type of large, typically earthenware urn or jar used for storage, especially for liquids like wine or rice. It is often found in traditional Chinese households and can symbolize preservation and aging, particularly in the context of fermented foods and beverages.

When to use 甕

This word is relatively formal and may not be used in everyday conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar characters for 'container' or 'vessel.' Remember that its usage is often tied to cultural contexts involving storage and preservation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 甕 with the character 瓶 (píng), which means 'bottle.' For example, saying '我有一个甕' (I have a bottle) is incorrect; it should be '我有一个瓶.'

Write 甕

甕

Practice writing 甕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 甕

Words containing this character8
瓮wèngurn
瓮中之鳖lit. like a turtle in a jar甕中之鱉
瓮安Wengan county in Qiannan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔南州[Qián​nán​zhōu], Guizhou甕安
瓮安县Wengan county in Qiannan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔南州[Qián​nán​zhōu], Guizhou甕安縣
瓮城enceinte of a city gate甕城
瓮中捉鳖a turkey shoot甕中捉鱉
瓮声瓮气to speak in a low muffled voice (idiom)甕聲甕氣
请君入瓮lit. please Sir, get into the boiling pot (idiom)請君入甕
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 甕

What does 瓮 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 甕

甕 specifically refers to larger, often earthenware jars used for storage, while other jars may vary in size and material.

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