classifier for luxuriant plants, smoke, ashes, campfires: clump, puff
nr, 13 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12097, Hard
蓬
péng
disheveled, unkempt; a type of raspberry
nr, 13 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12097, Hard
péng(Peng2) T2
1fleabane (family Asteraceae)
2disheveled
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March 24, 2026
蓬péng(Peng2)
The character 蓬 (péng) primarily refers to a surname, but it can also denote fleabane, a type of plant. In certain contexts, it describes a state of being disheveled or unkempt. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for luxuriant plants or puffs of smoke, ashes, or campfires.
Strokes13Radical艹Frequency#12097DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the fleabane plant (蓬) is noted for its medicinal properties, connecting the character to practices in herbal medicine that have been part of Chinese culture for centuries.
Memory Tip
Imagine a messy garden (蓬) where plants grow wildly; the disheveled appearance is reminiscent of hair in a 'puff' (péng). The character features the radical for 'plant' (艹) on top, indicating its connection to nature and growth.
Meanings of 蓬
péng(Peng2)
1fleabane (family Asteraceae)
2disheveled
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 蓬
蓬Simplified
13Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#12097Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蓬
Podcast: 蓬
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AI Study Notes for 蓬
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a messy garden (蓬) where plants grow wildly; the disheveled appearance is reminiscent of hair in a 'puff' (péng). The character features the radical for 'plant' (艹) on top, indicating its connection to nature and growth.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 蓬 (péng) with similar-sounding words. It's typically used in formal contexts when referring to the plant or surname. Common collocations include '蓬头' (péng tóu) meaning disheveled hair.
HSK Study Tips
While 蓬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK Level 3 and above words related to plants and nature. Focus on recognizing the character in botanical contexts and its usage in surnames.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the fleabane plant (蓬) is noted for its medicinal properties, connecting the character to practices in herbal medicine that have been part of Chinese culture for centuries.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蓬 (péng) with similar characters like 朋 (péng), meaning 'friend.' For example, saying '我的朋蓬' is incorrect; it should be '我的朋友' (wǒ de péngyǒu) for 'my friend.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蓬
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Grammar Patterns of 蓬
蓬 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 5 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
特迪用自己的粗手指头捋了一下浓密____乱的头发。
Teddy ran thick fingers through his unruly thatch of hair.
Example Sentences for 蓬 (10)
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1
特迪用自己的粗手指头捋了一下浓密蓬乱的头发。
tè dí yòng zì jǐ de cū shǒu zhǐ tóu luō le yī xià nóng mì péng luàn de tóu fā。
Teddy ran thick fingers through his unruly thatch of hair.
2
他是1月9号到的，蓬头垢面，疲惫不堪。
tā shì1 19 yuè 9 hào， dào de ， péng， tóu gòu miàn ，。
He arrived on January 9, disheveled and much the worse for wear.
3
那个人有一头乱蓬蓬的黑发。
nà gè rén yǒu yī tóu luàn péng péng de hēi fā。
The man had a huge head of remarkably black, unruly hair.
4
那个老乞丐蓬头垢面.
nà gè lǎo qǐ gài péng tóu gòu miàn.
The old beggar was dirty and unkempt.
5
孩子们感到累了, 所以他们扑灭营火之后就爬进帐蓬了.
hái zǐ mén gǎn dào léi le, , suǒ yǐ tā mén pū miè yíng huǒ zhī hòu jiù pá jìn zhàng péng.
The boys felt tired, so they put out the fire and crept into their tent.
6
蓬生麻中, 不扶自直.
péng shēng má zhōng, , bù fú zì.
When one is surrounded by the virtuous, he'll become upright himself.
7
他四肢修长、眼睛乌黑发亮，留着一头蓬乱浓密的黑色卷发。
tā sì zhī xiū cháng、 、 yǎn jīng wū hēi fā， liàng ， liú zháo yī tóu péng luàn nóng mì de hēi sè。
He was long-limbed and dark-eyed, with a mop of tight, dark curls.
8
蒂姆留着蓬乱的长发。
dì mǔ liú zháo péng luàn de cháng fā。
Tim has longish, shaggy hair.
9
她蓬头乱发，衣衫褴褛，满是灰尘。
tā péng tóu luàn fā， ， yī shān lán， lǚ ， mǎn shì。
She had matted hair and torn dusty clothes.
10
" 那件, " 思嘉答道, 一面指着那团蓬乱的绿布花.
" " nà," jiàn , " sī jiā, dá dào , yī miàn zhǐ zháo nà tuán péng luàn de.
" That, " answered Scarlett, pointing at the fluffy mass of green flowered muslin.
Cultural Notes for 蓬
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the fleabane plant (蓬) is noted for its medicinal properties, connecting the character to practices in herbal medicine that have been part of Chinese culture for centuries.
Word Family of 蓬
Words Containing This Character18
蓬péngdisheveled
加蓬Gabon
蓬松fluffy蓬鬆
蓬勃péngbóvigorous
蓬莱by extension, fairyland蓬萊
蓬蓬luxuriant
朝气蓬勃zhāoqìpéngbóenergetic朝氣蓬勃
蓬头垢面bad appearance蓬頭垢面
蓬荜生辉see also 蓬蓽生光|蓬荜生光[péngbìshēngguāng]蓬蓽生輝
莲蓬lotus seed head蓮蓬
蓬乱unkempt蓬亂
乱蓬蓬disheveled亂蓬蓬
蓬莱市Penglai county level city in Yantai 煙台|烟台, Shandong蓬萊市
蓬安县Peng'an county in Nanchong 南充[Nánchōng], Sichuan蓬安縣
蓬莱仙境fairyland蓬萊仙境
蓬安Peng'an county in Nanchong 南充[Nánchōng], Sichuan
蓬江区Pengjiang district of Jiangmen city 江門市|江门市, Guangdong蓬江區
蓬溪县Pengxi county in Suining 遂寧|遂宁[Suìníng], Sichuan蓬溪縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蓬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蓬
As a surname, 蓬 (Péng) is used by some Chinese families and can be found in historical texts.
You can say '他的头发蓬蓬的' (tā de tóufǎ péng péng de) meaning 'His hair is disheveled.'
It is more commonly found in written Chinese, especially in botanical or literary contexts.
