unknown, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #57846, Very Hard
耿
gěng
honest
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #57846, Very Hard
耿
gěng
upright
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #57846, Very Hard
gěng(Geng3) T3
1bright, shining; brave, loyal
2honest
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March 24, 2026
耿gěng(Geng3)
The character 耿 (gěng) primarily means bright or shining, often used to describe someone who is brave and loyal. It can also convey a sense of honesty and uprightness, making it a positive descriptor. In addition, it serves as a surname, particularly in Chinese-speaking regions.
Strokes10Radical耳Frequency#57846DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, traits like bravery and loyalty are highly valued, often reflected in historical figures and literature. The surname 耿 is not very common but has notable figures in Chinese history, enhancing its cultural significance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright star (the character 耿) shining in the night sky, representing bravery and loyalty. The left part, 耳 (ěr), resembles an ear, suggesting listening closely to the honest and upright nature of a true friend. The right part, 更 (gèng), means 'more' or 'to become,' emphasizing the brightness and integrity one can aspire to.
Meanings of 耿
gěng(Geng3)
1bright, shining; brave, loyal
2honest
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 耿
耿Simplified
10Strokes
耳Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 耿
Podcast: 耿
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AI Study Notes for 耿
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bright star (the character 耿) shining in the night sky, representing bravery and loyalty. The left part, 耳 (ěr), resembles an ear, suggesting listening closely to the honest and upright nature of a true friend. The right part, 更 (gèng), means 'more' or 'to become,' emphasizing the brightness and integrity one can aspire to.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 耿 with similar-sounding words, like 更 (gèng), which can lead to miscommunication. This character is relatively formal and is often used in literary contexts or to describe admirable qualities in people. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it as 'geng' with a flat tone alters its meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 耿 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, its components and usage can be connected to HSK Level 3 words like 更 (gèng) and 亮 (liàng), which also relate to brightness. Focus on the context of usage and the positive attributes it represents to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, traits like bravery and loyalty are highly valued, often reflected in historical figures and literature. The surname 耿 is not very common but has notable figures in Chinese history, enhancing its cultural significance.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is confusing 耿 with the character 更 (gèng), which means 'more.' For example, saying '我觉得他更好' (I think he is bright) instead of using '耿' would be incorrect in this context. Always ensure you use the right character to convey the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耿
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Grammar Patterns of 耿
耿 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 4 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
唯一使我____耿于怀的就是她那些关于爱尔兰的言论。
The only thing that rankles me is what she says about Ireland.
Example Sentences for 耿 (4)
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1
唯一使我耿耿于怀的就是她那些关于爱尔兰的言论。
wéi yī shǐ wǒ gěng gěng yú huái de jiù shì tā nà xiē guān yú ài ěr lán de yán lùn。
The only thing that rankles me is what she says about Ireland.
2
她对马内家族忠心耿耿。
tā duì mǎ nèi jiā zú zhōng xīn gěng gěng。
She had developed strong loyalties to the Manet family.
3
他已经忠心耿耿地为巴克莱银行效力了20年。
tā yǐ jīng zhōng xīn gěng gěng dì wéi bā kè lái yín háng xiào lì le20 20。
He has 20 years of loyal service to Barclays Bank behind him.
yǒu rén rèn wéi zhè shì pèi qí de suān pú táo xīn lǐ zài zuò guài， ， yīn wéi tā de gōng sī wèi néng zhōng， biāo ， pèi qí duì cǐ de huí：“ yīng shì ：“ rén， shēng kǔ duǎn ， shuí yǒu xián gōng fū qù gěng？”
Page'sresponse to the suggestion that this might be sour grapes because his company lost the bid is: "Life's too short for that."
Cultural Notes for 耿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, traits like bravery and loyalty are highly valued, often reflected in historical figures and literature. The surname 耿 is not very common but has notable figures in Chinese history, enhancing its cultural significance.
Word Family of 耿
Words Containing This Character7
耿耿于怀to take troubles to heart (idiom); brooding耿耿於懷
忠心耿耿loyal and devoted (idiom); faithful and true
耿gěngbright
耿直gěngzhíhonest
耿耿bright
耿介upright and outstanding
耿马县Gengma Dai and Va autonomous county in Lincang 臨滄|临沧[Líncāng], Yunnan耿馬縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 耿耿于怀 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 耿
It describes someone as bright, brave, and honest, often highlighting their admirable qualities.
Yes, 耿 is a recognized surname in China, though it's less common than others.
It should be pronounced with a rising tone, like 'gěng'.
