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March 24, 2026
萍píng(ping2)
The character 萍 (píng) primarily means 'duckweed', a type of small floating plant often found on the surface of ponds and lakes. It can also imply a sense of wandering or traveling, reflecting the transient nature of duckweed as it drifts on water. This character is commonly used in poetic contexts to evoke themes of impermanence and freedom.
Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#58839DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, duckweed (萍) often symbolizes fleeting moments and the beauty of impermanence, reflecting the philosophy of living in the moment. This resonates with traditional Chinese values that appreciate the transient beauty of nature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small duckweed plant (萍) floating on a pond, bobbing gently with the water's movement. The character looks like a plant with two leaves (艹) sitting on a watery surface (平), reminding you of its connection to nature. The pronunciation 'píng' rhymes with 'ping', as in the sound of a duckweed leaf hitting the water.
Meanings of 萍
píng(ping2)
1duckweed; to travel, to wander
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 萍
萍Simplified
11Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 萍
Podcast: 萍
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AI Study Notes for 萍
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small duckweed plant (萍) floating on a pond, bobbing gently with the water's movement. The character looks like a plant with two leaves (艹) sitting on a watery surface (平), reminding you of its connection to nature. The pronunciation 'píng' rhymes with 'ping', as in the sound of a duckweed leaf hitting the water.
Usage Notes
When using 萍, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 平 (píng, flat). It's typically used in literary or poetic contexts, so it may not be appropriate in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 萍水相逢 (píng shuǐ xiāng féng), meaning 'to meet by chance'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 萍 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 水 (shuǐ, water) and 平 (píng, flat) as they relate to nature and states of being. Focus on understanding its poetic connotation and how it can be used to express ideas of movement and transience.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, duckweed (萍) often symbolizes fleeting moments and the beauty of impermanence, reflecting the philosophy of living in the moment. This resonates with traditional Chinese values that appreciate the transient beauty of nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 萍 with 平 (píng), which means 'flat'. For example, saying '我喜欢平水' (wǒ xǐhuān píng shuǐ, 'I like flat water') instead of '我喜欢萍水' (wǒ xǐhuān píng shuǐ, 'I like duckweed on water') can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 萍
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Grammar Patterns of 萍
萍 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 1
Complete the Sentence
1962年, 薛亚____经陈少霖引荐拜张君秋大师.
In 1962, Yaping introduced by Chen Shaolin Master Zhang Junqiu al.
In 1962, Yaping introduced by Chen Shaolin Master Zhang Junqiu al.
Cultural Notes for 萍
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry, duckweed (萍) often symbolizes fleeting moments and the beauty of impermanence, reflecting the philosophy of living in the moment. This resonates with traditional Chinese values that appreciate the transient beauty of nature.
Word Family of 萍
Words Containing This Character7
萍píngduckweed
萍水相逢píngshuǐxiāngféngstrangers coming together by chance (idiom)
浮萍duckweed
萍乡Pingxiang prefecture level city in Jiangxi萍鄉
邓亚萍Deng Yaping (1973-), table tennis player, several times world and Olympic winner鄧亞萍
萍乡市Pingxiang prefecture level city in Jiangxi萍鄉市
萍蓬草spatterdock (Nuphar pumilum), a type of lily
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 萍 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 萍
It literally means 'duckweed', a small floating plant found on water surfaces.
萍 is often used to express themes of wandering and the transient nature of life.
No, it is primarily used in literary contexts rather than everyday speech.
