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罡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
罡gāngthe stars at the end of the Big Dipperx, 10 strokes, radical 罒
罡gāngstars of the Big Dipper that constitute the tail of the dipperunknown, 10 strokes, radical 罒
gāng(gang1)gang T1
  1. 1the stars at the end of the Big Dipper
  2. 2stars of the Big Dipper that constitute the tail of the dipper
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March 24, 2026

罡gāng(gang1)

The character 罡 (gāng) refers to the stars at the end of the Big Dipper, specifically those that form the tail of the dipper. It is often used in contexts related to astronomy and navigation, highlighting the significance of these stars in Chinese culture for orientation and the understanding of celestial patterns.

Strokes10Radical罒
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Big Dipper is not just a constellation but also has a role in traditional astrology and navigation. The stars of 罡 have historically guided travelers and influenced agricultural practices.

Memory Tip

Think of 罡 as a 'gang' of stars leading the way in the night sky. The radical 罡 resembles a roof (representing the sky) over a group of stars, emphasizing its celestial meaning. Imagine a 'gang of stars' lighting the way for travelers.

Meanings of 罡

gāng(gang1)
1the stars at the end of the Big Dipper
2stars of the Big Dipper that constitute the tail of the dipper
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 罡

罡Simplified
10Strokes
罒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 罡

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Podcast: 罡

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AI Study Notes for 罡

Usage Notes

While 罡 is a specific term related to astronomy, it may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, so context is crucial. Be careful not to confuse it with other astronomical terms. It is more formal and typically used in literary contexts.

HSK Study Tips

As 罡 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, focus on related words such as 星 (xīng, star) or 大斗 (dà dǒu, Big Dipper) to build your understanding of celestial terms. Recognize its significance in traditional Chinese navigation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 罡 as 'gǎng' instead of 'gāng', confusing it with a similar-sounding word meaning 'to build'. Always remember the correct tone to convey the right meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 罡

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Etymology of 罡

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

net

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

Origin

罡 = 罒 + 正. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 罡

IDS Structure⿱罒正
罡Full Character
=
罒wang3
top
正zheng1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 罡?

How to say the stars at the end of the Big Dipper in Chinese

“the stars at the end of the Big Dipper” in Chinese is罡gāng

The character 罡 (gāng) refers to the stars at the end of the Big Dipper, specifically those that form the tail of the dipper. It is often used in contexts related to astronomy and navigation, highlighting the significance of these stars in Chinese culture for orientation and the understanding of celestial patterns.

When to use 罡

While 罡 is a specific term related to astronomy, it may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, so context is crucial. Be careful not to confuse it with other astronomical terms. It is more formal and typically used in literary contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 罡 as 'gǎng' instead of 'gāng', confusing it with a similar-sounding word meaning 'to build'. Always remember the correct tone to convey the right meaning.

Write 罡

罡

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

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Word Family of 罡

Words Containing This Character1
罡gāngstars of the Big Dipper that constitute the tail of the dipper

Frequently Asked Questions about 罡

It refers specifically to the stars making up the tail of the Big Dipper, useful in discussions about astronomy.

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