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March 24, 2026
纲(綱)gāng(gang1)
The character 纲 (gāng) refers to the main rope or guiding thread that holds something together, often used metaphorically to describe guiding principles or outlines of concepts. It is commonly used in academic and organizational contexts to denote main ideas or frameworks that structure information.
Strokes7Radical纟Frequency#17021DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese education, the concept of having a clear '纲' or outline is highly valued, particularly in teaching and learning environments where clarity and structure are essential for effective communication and understanding.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fisherman holding the 'head rope' (纲) of his net, which represents the main support for catching fish. The character 纲 has the radical for 'rope' (纟) on the left, connecting its meaning to something that binds or organizes.
Meanings of 纲
gāng(gang1)
1head rope of a fishing net
2guiding principle
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 纲
纲Simplified
綱Traditional
7Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#17021Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 纲
Podcast: 纲
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AI Study Notes for 纲
Quick Contrast
纲 (gāng) vs 领 (lǐng) — use 纲 for main ideas or frameworks, while 领 refers to leadership or guidance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fisherman holding the 'head rope' (纲) of his net, which represents the main support for catching fish. The character 纲 has the radical for 'rope' (纟) on the left, connecting its meaning to something that binds or organizes.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 纲 with similar-sounding words, such as 钢 (gāng), which means 'steel.' In formal contexts, 纲 is often used in academic writing to refer to outlines or guiding principles, so ensure you use it appropriately in such settings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 纲 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be related to other words involving structure and principles, such as 理 (lǐ, reason) and 线 (xiàn, line). Focus on its usage in outlining and structuring ideas in both written and spoken Chinese.
Cultural Note
In Chinese education, the concept of having a clear '纲' or outline is highly valued, particularly in teaching and learning environments where clarity and structure are essential for effective communication and understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 纲 with 纲要 (gāngyào), which means 'summary' or 'essentials,' thinking they are interchangeable. Remember that 纲 specifically refers to the main guiding principle or outline.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 纲
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Grammar Patterns of 纲
纲 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 7 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 5
Complete the Sentence
稍有不满便会被上____上线。
Any signs of discontent tend to be magnified and overanalyzed.
It can be useful to write a short summary of your argument first.
3
写作文之前先写个提纲.
xiě zuò wén zhī qián xiān xiě gè tí gāng.
Make an outline before trying to write a composition.
4
我们向委员会提纲挈领地讲了讲我们的提案。
wǒ mén xiàng wěi yuán huì tí gāng qiè lǐng dì jiǎng le jiǎng wǒ mén de tí àn。
We outlined our proposals to the committee.
5
学校的教学大纲似乎是针对接受能力最差的学生制定的。
xué xiào de jiào xué dà gāng sì hū shì zhēn duì jiē shòu néng lì zuì chà de xué shēng zhì dìng de。
The school syllabus seems aimed at the lowest common denominator.
6
伞菌目:担子菌纲的一目,包含蘑菇和伞菌等.
sǎn jūn mù: : dān zǐ jūn gāng de yī, mù , bāo hán mó gū hé sǎn.
Agaricales ( agarics ) An order of basidiomycetes that contains the mushrooms and toadstools.
7
这栽不梢领是堵住叠印几栽差别色彩的网纲调图像得回的.
zhè zāi bù shāo lǐng shì dǔ zhù dié yìn jī zāi chà bié sè cǎi de wǎng gāng tiáo tú xiàng dé huí de.
This ability is done by contained several different color halftone image for.
Cultural Notes for 纲
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese education, the concept of having a clear '纲' or outline is highly valued, particularly in teaching and learning environments where clarity and structure are essential for effective communication and understanding.
Word Family of 纲
Words Containing This Character19
纲gāngkey link綱
大纲dàgāngsynopsis大綱
纲要gāngyàooutline綱要
纲领gānglǐngguiding principle綱領
提纲tígāngoutline提綱
担纲to play the leading role擔綱
教学大纲course syllabus教學大綱
上纲上线to criticize (as a matter of principle)上綱上線
政纲platform政綱
本草纲目Compendium of Medical Herbs 1596, compiled by Li Shizhen 李時珍|李时珍[LǐShízhēn]本草綱目
提纲挈领to concentrate on the main points (idiom); to bring out the essentials提綱挈領
党纲party program黨綱
量纲dimension (unit)量綱
纲举目张if you lift the headrope the meshes spread open (idiom)綱舉目張
纲纪law and order綱紀
朝纲laws and discipline of imperial court朝綱
三纲五常three principles and five virtues (idiom)三綱五常
亚纲subclass (taxonomy)亞綱
横纲yokozuna橫綱
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 纲 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 纲
Common phrases include 纲领 (gānglǐng, program or manifest) and 大纲 (dàgāng, outline).
It is more commonly used in formal or academic contexts rather than everyday conversation.
You can associate the sound 'gāng' with the word 'gang' in English to help remember its pronunciation.
