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March 24, 2026
虹hóng(hong2)
The character 虹 (hóng) refers to a rainbow, a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when sunlight refracts, reflects, and disperses in water droplets, resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It is often associated with beauty, hope, and the promise of better times, commonly used in both poetic and everyday contexts.
Strokes9Radical虫Frequency#41993DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, rainbows symbolize harmony and good fortune, often appearing in poetry and art. The concept of a rainbow is also linked to traditional beliefs about auspicious signs when it appears after rain.
Memory Tip
Imagine a vibrant rainbow arching across the sky, made of colorful bands. The character 虹 resembles a bridge (the arc) over a body of water (the water droplets), connecting the earth to the sky, which helps you remember its meaning (rainbow) and pronunciation (hóng).
Meanings of 虹
hóng(hong2)
1rainbow
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 虹
虹Simplified
9Strokes
虫Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#41993Frequency Rank
Podcast: 虹
Podcast: 虹
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AI Study Notes for 虹
Usage Notes
When using 虹, remember that it is typically used in more poetic or descriptive contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 虹桥 (hóng qiáo - rainbow bridge) and 虹色 (hóng sè - rainbow-colored). Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it as 'hǒng' could change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 虹 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other nature-related words and colors, which are often found in HSK levels 1 and 2. Focus on the context in which it is used and practice forming sentences that describe natural phenomena.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 虹 with other similar-sounding words, like 宏 (hóng - grand). A common mistake is using 虹 in a non-descriptive context, such as saying 'I see a 虹 at the store,' which sounds unnatural. Instead, use it in a context like 'I saw a 虹 in the sky after the rain.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 虹
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Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 工 represents the sound.
1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
2The sound half工 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayinsect
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 虹? 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 虹?
Decomposition of 虹
IDS Structure⿰虫工
虹Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
工gong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 虹?
How to say rainbow in Chinese
“rainbow” in Chinese is虹hóng
The character 虹 (hóng) refers to a rainbow, a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when sunlight refracts, reflects, and disperses in water droplets, resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It is often associated with beauty, hope, and the promise of better times, commonly used in both poetic and everyday contexts.
When to use 虹
When using 虹, remember that it is typically used in more poetic or descriptive contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 虹桥 (hóng qiáo - rainbow bridge) and 虹色 (hóng sè - rainbow-colored). Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it as 'hǒng' could change its meaning.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 虹 with other similar-sounding words, like 宏 (hóng - grand). A common mistake is using 虹 in a non-descriptive context, such as saying 'I see a 虹 at the store,' which sounds unnatural. Instead, use it in a context like 'I saw a 虹 in the sky after the rain.'
Write 虹
虹
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Practice writing 虹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 虹
虹 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.
