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网 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
wǎngnetHSK 6, n, 6 strokes, radical 网, rank #2810, Medium
wǎngnetworkHSK 6, n, 6 strokes, radical 网, rank #2810, Medium
wǎng(wang3) T3
  1. 1net
  2. 2network
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(網)wǎng(wang3)

The character 网 (wǎng) primarily means 'net' or 'network.' It is commonly used to refer to physical nets, like fishing nets, as well as abstract networks, such as the internet or social networks. In modern usage, it often signifies connections and relationships among people or systems.

Strokes6RadicalFrequency#2810DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

The concept of a network is significant in Chinese culture, particularly with the rise of social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo, which have transformed how people connect and communicate. The use of 网 in these contexts highlights the importance of relationships in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a spider web (网) where each thread represents a connection. The character resembles a web with its intersecting lines, and the pronunciation 'wǎng' sounds like 'wang,' which could remind you of a 'web of connections' or a 'web of relationships' in a social context.

Meanings of 网

wǎng(wang3)
1net
2network
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 网

Simplified
Traditional
6Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2810Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1BCTCEFRA1

Podcast: 网

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AI Study Notes for 网

Quick Contrast

网 (wǎng) vs 网络 (wǎngluò) — use 网 for a physical net or simple network, while 网络 refers specifically to a more complex or abstract network, like the internet.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a spider web (网) where each thread represents a connection. The character resembles a web with its intersecting lines, and the pronunciation 'wǎng' sounds like 'wang,' which could remind you of a 'web of connections' or a 'web of relationships' in a social context.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 网 with other similar characters like 亡 (wáng), which means 'to perish.' It is used in both formal and informal contexts, often in phrases like '互联网' (hùliánwǎng) meaning 'internet.' Pay attention to the third tone (wǎng) to avoid mispronunciations.

HSK Study Tips

Although 网 is not specifically listed in the HSK curriculum, it connects well with other HSK vocabulary related to technology and communication, such as 互联网 (internet) and 网络 (network). Focus on understanding its usage in compound words to enhance your vocabulary.

Cultural Note

The concept of a network is significant in Chinese culture, particularly with the rise of social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo, which have transformed how people connect and communicate. The use of 网 in these contexts highlights the importance of relationships in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 网 (wǎng) with 亡 (wáng) due to similar pronunciation. For instance, saying '我用亡来钓鱼' (wǒ yòng wáng lái diàoyú) is incorrect; it should be '我用网来钓鱼' (wǒ yòng wǎng lái diàoyú), meaning 'I use a net to fish.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 网

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Etymology of 网

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a net.

Memory Hint

A net for catching fish

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 网?

Decomposition of 网

IDS Structure⿵冂⿰乂乂
Full Character
=
jiong1
enclosing
yi4
left
yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 网?

Write 网

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

Grammar Patterns of 网

网 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 2 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 4

Complete the Sentence

他是在____上买的手机。

He bought the phone online. (emphasis: online)

Common Confusions with 网

vs
wàng

Similar pronunciation but entirely different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "net"?

or

Example Sentences for 网 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
从务实角度来说,音乐电视网的生存依赖于把年轻人市场卖给广告商。

cóng wù shí jiǎo dù lái shuō, , yīn lè diàn shì wǎng de shēng cún yī lài yú bǎ nián qīng rén shì cháng mài gěi guǎng gào。

Pragmatically, MTV's survival depends on selling the youth market to advertisers.
2
网络游戏使得全球的玩家可以相互较量。

wǎng luò yóu xì shǐ dé quán qiú de wán jiā kě yǐ xiāng hù jiào liáng。

Online gaming allows players from around the world to challenge each other.
3
向导程序和模板可以帮助你创建手册、日历和网页。

xiàng dǎo chéng xù hé mó bǎn kě yǐ bāng zhù nǐ chuàng jiàn shǒu cè、 、 rì lì hé wǎng。

Wizards and templates can help you create brochures, calendars, and Web pages.
4
现在,网球明星的随行人员中有些是心理培训师。

xiàn zài, , wǎng qiú míng xīng de suí háng rén yuán zhōng yǒu xiē shì xīn lǐ péi xùn。

Mind trainers are now part of a tennis star's retinue.
5
这位网球明星与他的奥地利教练分道扬镳。

zhè wèi wǎng qiú míng xīng yǔ tā de ào dì lì jiào liàn fēn dào yáng biāo。

The tennis star has parted company with his Austrian trainer.
6
他通过网络把作品发给了出版商。

tā tōng guò wǎng luò bǎ zuò pǐn fā gěi le chū bǎn shāng。

He sent his work to his publishers by modem.
7
为了在休赛期间保持状态,我常打网球或踢足球。

wéi le zài xiū sài qī jiān bǎo chí zhuàng tài, , wǒ cháng dǎ wǎng qiú huò tī zú。

To stay fit off season, I play tennis or football.
8
草地网球协会暂停了卡斯尔先生在英国队的职务。

cǎo dì wǎng qiú xié huì zàn tíng le kǎ sī ěr xiān shēng zài yīng guó duì de zhí wù。

The Lawn Tennis Association suspended Mr Castle from the British team.
9
试试网球、羽毛球或帆板运动吧。总之,只要是有挑战性的。

shì shì wǎng qiú、 、 yǔ máo qiú huò fān bǎn yùn dòng。 bā 。, zǒng zhī , zhī yào shì yǒu tiāo。

Try tennis, badminton or windsurfing. In short, anything challenging.
10
几个渔夫坐在木桶上修补渔网。

jī gè yú fū zuò zài mù tǒng shàng xiū bǔ yú wǎng。

Several fishermen sat on wooden barrels, tending their nets.

Cultural Notes for 网

💡Did you know?

在古代,中国人使用网来捕鱼和捕鸟,网不仅是捕捉动物的工具,也象征着连接和网络的概念,后来演变为现代互联网的‘网’。

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of a network is significant in Chinese culture, particularly with the rise of social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo, which have transformed how people connect and communicate. The use of 网 in these contexts highlights the importance of relationships in Chinese society.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, 'network' often emphasizes professional connections, while in Chinese culture, it encompasses personal relationships and social ties, reflecting a more collectivist approach.

Word Family of 网

Compounds1
Words Containing This Character20
wǎngnet
网络wǎngluòInternet網絡
网站wǎngzhànwebsite網站
网上wǎngshangonline網上
上网shàngwǎngto go online上網
互联网hùliánwǎngInternet互聯網
网球wǎngqiútennis網球
新华网Xinhua News Network新華網
网吧wǎngbāInternet café網吧
网页wǎngyèweb page網頁
电网diànwǎngelectrical network電網
中新网ChinaNews (China News Service)中新網
视网膜retina視網膜
网点wǎngdiǎnbranch網點
铁丝网wire netting鐵絲網
网民wǎngmínweb user網民
因特网Internet因特網
联网liánwǎngnetwork聯網
一网打尽fig. to scoop up the whole lot一網打盡
落网(of a tennis ball) to hit the net落網
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 网 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 网

Common phrases with 网 include '互联网' (hùliánwǎng), meaning 'internet,' and '社交网络' (shèjiāo wǎngluò), meaning 'social network.' These phrases highlight the usage of 网 in modern communication contexts.