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聍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
聍níngearwaxx, 11 strokes, radical 耳
聍níngcerumenunknown, 11 strokes, radical 耳
níng(ning2) T2
  1. 1earwax
  2. 2cerumen
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

聍(聹)níng(ning2)

The character 聍 (níng) refers to earwax, specifically the sticky substance produced in the ear canal. It is often used in medical contexts when discussing ear hygiene or health issues related to the ears.

Strokes11Radical耳
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, ear health is often considered important, and traditional practices may involve cleaning the ears carefully, as earwax build-up can signify health issues.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny ear filled with honey (the sticky substance) as you focus on the sound 'níng'. The character 聍 includes the 'ear' radical (耳) which reminds you that it relates to something found in the ear.

Meanings of 聍

níng(ning2)
1earwax
2cerumen
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 聍

聍Simplified
聹Traditional
11Strokes
耳Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 聍

JasonAmy

Podcast: 聍

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 聍

Usage Notes

This term is mostly used in medical or formal contexts, so it may not be common in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters, especially in tones.

HSK Study Tips

Although 聍 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other ear-related terms like 耳 (ěr, ear) and 聽 (tīng, to listen). Focus on understanding the context of ear health to reinforce vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 聍 with similar characters or mispronounce it due to its tone. For example, saying 'líng' instead of 'níng' can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 聍

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Etymology of 聍

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

ear

Semantic (meaning)耳
+
Phonetic (sound)宁
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 聍

  1. 1The meaning half耳 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half宁 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayear
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 聍? 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 聍?

Decomposition of 聍

IDS Structure⿰耳宁
聍Full Character
=
耳er3
left
宁Ning2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 聍?

How to say earwax in Chinese

“earwax” in Chinese is聍níng

The character 聍 (níng) refers to earwax, specifically the sticky substance produced in the ear canal. It is often used in medical contexts when discussing ear hygiene or health issues related to the ears.

When to use 聍

This term is mostly used in medical or formal contexts, so it may not be common in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters, especially in tones.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 聍 with similar characters or mispronounce it due to its tone. For example, saying 'líng' instead of 'níng' can lead to misunderstanding.

Write 聍

聍

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 聍

Words Containing This Character2
耵聍earwax耵聹
聍níngcerumen聹
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 耵聍 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 聍

The correct pronunciation is 'níng', with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 聍?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.