Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
粽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zònga dumpling made of glutinous riceHSK 6, zg, 14 strokes, radical 米, rank #65340, Very Hard
zòngrice dumplings wrapped in leavesHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, radical 米, rank #65340, Very Hard
zòng(zong4) T4
  1. 1a dumpling made of glutinous rice
  2. 2rice dumplings wrapped in leaves
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

zòng(zong4)

粽 (zòng) refers to a traditional Chinese rice dumpling made from glutinous rice, often filled with ingredients such as meat or beans, and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. These dumplings are particularly associated with the Dragon Boat Festival, where they symbolize the remembrance of the poet Qu Yuan.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#65340DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

粽 is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, particularly during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), where families prepare and eat these dumplings to honor Qu Yuan, a famous poet and statesman.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big, green leaf wrapping around a sticky, glutinous rice dumpling—this visual can help you remember '粽' (zòng). The character looks like a rice dumpling (the square shape) being embraced by leaves, reinforcing its meaning.

Meanings of 粽

zòng(zong4)
1a dumpling made of glutinous rice
2rice dumplings wrapped in leaves
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 粽

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateCEFRC1

Podcast: 粽

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 粽

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a big, green leaf wrapping around a sticky, glutinous rice dumpling—this visual can help you remember '粽' (zòng). The character looks like a rice dumpling (the square shape) being embraced by leaves, reinforcing its meaning.

Usage Notes

When using 粽, be mindful that it is typically used in the context of festivals and food. A common mistake is to confuse it with other types of dumplings; 粽 specifically refers to the leaf-wrapped version. Ensure you use the correct tone (fourth tone) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 粽 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK 3 or higher to know this word when discussing cultural topics. Focus on the context of traditional festivals to enhance your vocabulary.

Cultural Note

粽 is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, particularly during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), where families prepare and eat these dumplings to honor Qu Yuan, a famous poet and statesman.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use the term '饺子' (jiǎozi) to refer to 粽, which is incorrect as 饺子 are a different type of dumpling. Always remember that 粽 specifically refers to the rice dumpling wrapped in leaves.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 粽

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 粽

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

Phonosemantic compound. 米 represents the meaning and 宗 represents the sound. Simplified form of 糉.

Memory Hint

rice

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 粽?

Decomposition of 粽

IDS Structure⿰米宗
Full Character
=
Mi3
left
Zong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 粽?

Write 粽

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

Cultural Notes for 粽

🏮Cultural insight

粽 is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, particularly during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), where families prepare and eat these dumplings to honor Qu Yuan, a famous poet and statesman.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Unlike Western dumplings, which are often made from wheat flour and can be filled with various ingredients, 粽 is unique in its use of glutinous rice and being wrapped in leaves, showcasing a different texture and flavor profile.

Word Family of 粽

Words Containing This Character2
粽子zòngziglutinous rice and choice of filling wrapped in leaves and boiled
zòngrice dumplings wrapped in leaves
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 粽子 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 粽

Common fillings include marinated meats, red beans, or sweet ingredients like dates or nuts.