HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Very Hard
葱
cōng
scallion
HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Very Hard
葱
cōng
green onion
HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Very Hard
cōng(cong1) T1
1scallions, leeks, green onions
2scallion
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March 24, 2026
葱(蔥)cōng(cong1)
葱 (cōng) refers to scallions, leeks, or green onions, which are commonly used in Chinese cuisine for their strong flavor and aromatic qualities. They are often used as a garnish or ingredient in various dishes to enhance taste, and can be found in both raw and cooked forms.
Strokes12Radical艹Frequency#12501DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
葱 is a staple ingredient in many traditional Chinese dishes, symbolizing freshness and vibrancy in meals. In Chinese culture, it is often featured in festive dishes, representing good fortune and flavor.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long green onion standing tall in a field, waving like a flag (the character 葱 has a 'flag-like' top part). The 'c' sound in 'cōng' can remind you of 'scallion' since they both start with a similar sound. Picture a chef shouting 'C'mon, let's use some scallions!' to make a dish more delicious.
Meanings of 葱
cōng(cong1)
1scallions, leeks, green onions
2scallion
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 葱
葱Simplified
蔥Traditional
12Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 葱
Podcast: 葱
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AI Study Notes for 葱
Quick Contrast
葱 (cōng) vs 洋葱 (yángcōng) — use 葱 for scallions or green onions, while 洋葱 refers specifically to onions.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 葱 with other similar vegetables like 洋葱 (yángcōng), which means onion. In informal contexts, you might hear it used in everyday cooking discussions, while in formal settings, it may appear in culinary literature. Ensure you use the correct tone as 'cōng' is pronounced with a high level tone, which is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
Although 葱 is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it is a useful word for learners at any level, especially those interested in Chinese cooking. Students should focus on its pronunciation and common phrases associated with cooking and ingredients.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 葱 with other types of onions, leading to sentences like '我喜欢吃洋葱' (I like to eat scallions), which is incorrect. The correct term for scallions is '葱', so it should be '我喜欢吃葱'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 葱
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2The sound half怱 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaygrass
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 葱? 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 葱?
Decomposition of 葱
IDS Structure⿱艹怱
葱Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
怱cong1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 葱?
How to say scallions, leeks, green onions in Chinese
“scallions, leeks, green onions” in Chinese is葱cōng
葱 (cōng) refers to scallions, leeks, or green onions, which are commonly used in Chinese cuisine for their strong flavor and aromatic qualities. They are often used as a garnish or ingredient in various dishes to enhance taste, and can be found in both raw and cooked forms.
When to use 葱
Be cautious not to confuse 葱 with other similar vegetables like 洋葱 (yángcōng), which means onion. In informal contexts, you might hear it used in everyday cooking discussions, while in formal settings, it may appear in culinary literature. Ensure you use the correct tone as 'cōng' is pronounced with a high level tone, which is crucial for clarity.
葱 or something close to it
葱 (cōng) vs 洋葱 (yángcōng) — use 葱 for scallions or green onions, while 洋葱 refers specifically to onions.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 葱 with other types of onions, leading to sentences like '我喜欢吃洋葱' (I like to eat scallions), which is incorrect. The correct term for scallions is '葱', so it should be '我喜欢吃葱'.
Write 葱
葱
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Practice writing 葱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 葱
葱 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 3 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.
