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羹 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
羹
gēng
soup, broth
ng, 19 strokes, radical 羊, rank #15622, Very Hard
gēng(geng1)geng T1
1soup, broth
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March 24, 2026
羹gēng(geng1)
The character 羹 (gēng) refers to a type of thick soup or broth, often containing meat and vegetables. It is typically more substantial than a clear soup and is common in various Chinese cuisines, particularly in formal or celebratory dishes.
Strokes19Radical羊Frequency#15622DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, 羹 is often served during important banquets or ceremonies, symbolizing wealth and abundance. The preparation of a good 羹 can showcase one’s cooking skills and hospitality.
Memory tip
Imagine a steaming bowl of thick soup (gēng) that is so hearty you can ‘gain’ (sounds like 'geng') energy from it. The character 羹 resembles a bowl with steam rising above, representing warmth and nourishment.
Meanings of 羹
gēng(geng1)
1soup, broth
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 羹 means.
About 羹
羹Simplified
19Strokes
羊Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 羹
Podcast: 羹
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AI Study Notes for 羹
Quick Contrast
汤 (tāng) refers to a clear soup or broth, while 羹 (gēng) denotes a thicker, more substantial soup.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 羹 is more formal and is often used in culinary contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with 汤 (tāng), which means 'soup' in a more general sense. Use 羹 when referring to thicker soups, especially in menus or formal dining settings.
HSK Study Tips
Though 羹 is not included in standard HSK levels, it connects to other food-related terms students might learn, such as 汤 (tāng) for soup. Focus on understanding context and usage in culinary conversations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 羹 when they mean to say 汤, as in saying '我想要一碗羹' (Wǒ xiǎng yào yī wǎn gēng) instead of '我想要一碗汤' (Wǒ xiǎng yào yī wǎn tāng). Remember, use 羹 for thicker soups specifically.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 羹
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Knowing 羹 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 羹 (gēng) refers to a type of thick soup or broth, often containing meat and vegetables. It is typically more substantial than a clear soup and is common in various Chinese cuisines, particularly in formal or celebratory dishes.
When to use 羹
Be aware that 羹 is more formal and is often used in culinary contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with 汤 (tāng), which means 'soup' in a more general sense. Use 羹 when referring to thicker soups, especially in menus or formal dining settings.
羹 or something close to it
汤 (tāng) refers to a clear soup or broth, while 羹 (gēng) denotes a thicker, more substantial soup.
What learners get wrong
Learners often use 羹 when they mean to say 汤, as in saying '我想要一碗羹' (Wǒ xiǎng yào yī wǎn gēng) instead of '我想要一碗汤' (Wǒ xiǎng yào yī wǎn tāng). Remember, use 羹 for thicker soups specifically.
Write 羹
羹
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Practice writing 羹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 羹
羹 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我所得到的唯一食物就是这家人的残____剩饭。
The only food I ever got was the family's leftovers.
Example Sentences for 羹 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我所得到的唯一食物就是这家人的残羹剩饭。
wǒ suǒ dédào de wéiyī shíwù jiùshì zhè jiārén de cán gēng shèng fàn。
The only food I ever got was the family's leftovers.
2
20世纪70年代，急于分一杯羹的柯达公司推出了自己的拍立得相机。
20 shìjì70 niándài， jíyú fēn yī bēi gēng de kē dá gōngsī tuīchū le zìjǐ de pāi lì de xiàngjī。
In the 1970s Kodak, anxious to get in on the act, launched its own instant camera.
