Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 羹
羹Simplified
19Strokes
羊Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 羹
Podcast: 羹
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 羹 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 羹? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 羹?
Decomposition of 羹
IDS Structure⿱羔美
羹Full Character
=
羔gao1
top
美Mei3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 羹?
How to say soup, broth in Chinese
“soup, broth” in Chinese is羹gēng
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 羹 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 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
Complete the Sentence
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 dé dào de wéi yī shí wù jiù shì zhè jiā rén 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 20 shì70 jì 70， nián dài ， jí yú fēn yī bēi gēng de kē dá gōng sī tuī chū le zì jǐ de pāi lì。
In the 1970s Kodak, anxious to get in on the act, launched its own instant camera.
