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罡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
gāngthe stars at the end of the Big Dipperx, 10 strokes, radical 罒, Very Hard
gāngstars of the Big Dipper that constitute the tail of the dipperunknown, 10 strokes, radical 罒, Very Hard
gāng(gang1) T1
  1. 1the stars at the end of the Big Dipper
  2. 2stars of the Big Dipper that constitute the tail of the dipper
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

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.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 罡

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

Podcast: 罡

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AI Study Notes for 罡

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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.

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.

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 罡?

Decomposition of 罡

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

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 罡?

Write 罡

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

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Cultural Notes for 罡

🏮Cultural insight

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.

Word Family of 罡

Words Containing This Character1
gāngstars of the Big Dipper that constitute the tail of the dipper
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 罡 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 罡

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