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March 24, 2026
粮(糧)liáng(liang2)
The character 粮 (liáng) refers to grain or food, particularly in the context of provisions or staple crops. It is commonly used to discuss agricultural products and can also denote the agricultural tax historically paid in grain. This term highlights the importance of grain in sustenance and economy in Chinese culture.
Strokes13Radical米Frequency#11990DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, grain was not only a staple food but also a crucial part of the tax system, which often involved paying taxes in grain. This underscores the historical significance of agriculture in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big bowl of rice (which is a type of grain) surrounded by a field of golden wheat. The character 粮 has the radical for grain (米) at the bottom, reminding you that it relates to food. The pronunciation 'liáng' can be thought of as 'liang' like 'longing' for food.
Meanings of 粮
liáng(liang2)
1grain
2food
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 粮
粮Simplified
糧Traditional
13Strokes
米Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11990Frequency Rank
Podcast: 粮
Podcast: 粮
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AI Study Notes for 粮
Quick Contrast
谷 (gǔ) refers specifically to grains or cereals, while 粮 (liáng) encompasses a broader range of food provisions, including processed forms.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big bowl of rice (which is a type of grain) surrounded by a field of golden wheat. The character 粮 has the radical for grain (米) at the bottom, reminding you that it relates to food. The pronunciation 'liáng' can be thought of as 'liang' like 'longing' for food.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 粮 with similar characters that also denote food but have different contexts. It is typically used in a formal context related to agriculture or economics. Common collocations include 粮食 (liángshí - food or grain) and 粮价 (liángjià - grain price).
HSK Study Tips
While 粮 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to themes of food and agriculture found in HSK levels 3 and 4. Students should focus on understanding its role in agricultural discussions and how it connects to words like 食品 (shípǐn - food products) and 饮食 (yǐnshí - diet).
Cultural Note
In ancient China, grain was not only a staple food but also a crucial part of the tax system, which often involved paying taxes in grain. This underscores the historical significance of agriculture in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 粮 to refer to all food types, but it specifically relates to grain. For example, saying '我想吃粮' (Wǒ xiǎng chī liáng - I want to eat grain) is awkward; it should be '我想吃米饭' (Wǒ xiǎng chī mǐfàn - I want to eat rice) for a more natural expression.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 粮
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Grammar Patterns of 粮
粮 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 4 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.
The grain store processed flour wrappers for Chinese dumplings.
10
否则, 粮食不足, 那些年轻人, 吃不饱, 饿到.
fǒu zé, , liáng shí bù, zú , nà xiē nián, qīng rén ,, chī bù.
Otherwise, food shortage, those young mans, eat not satisfied, hungry arrive.
Exercise 1 of 1
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I had to stock the boat up with food.
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Cultural Notes for 粮
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, grain was not only a staple food but also a crucial part of the tax system, which often involved paying taxes in grain. This underscores the historical significance of agriculture in Chinese society.
Word Family of 粮
Words Containing This Character20
粮食liángshifoodstuff糧食
粮liánggrain糧
口粮ration口糧
粗粮coarse grains (maize, sorghum etc)粗糧
粮仓granary糧倉
干粮rations (to take on expedition)乾糧
粮草army provisions糧草
食粮food cereals食糧
粮票coupons for food or grain used in a PRC economic program c. 1955-1993糧票
弹尽粮绝out of ammunition and no food left (idiom); in desperate straits彈盡糧絕
五粮液Wuliangye liquor五糧液
军粮army provisions軍糧
杂粮grain crops other than rice and wheat雜糧
余粮surplus grain餘糧
皇粮lit. imperial funding for troops皇糧
公粮tax paid in grain公糧
商品粮commodity grain (grain produced as a commodity rather than for self-sufficiency)商品糧
钱粮land tax錢糧
储备粮grain reserves儲備糧
粮店grain store糧店
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 粮食 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 粮
粮 specifically refers to grain or staple foods, while 食品 is a broader term for food products.
No, 粮 is primarily used for grains and staple crops, not for all types of food.
