HSK 6, vg, 6 strokes, radical 讠, rank #23723, Hard
讼
sòng
to accuse, to argue; to dispute, to litigate
HSK 6, vg, 6 strokes, radical 讠, rank #23723, Hard
sòng(song4) T4
1litigation
2to accuse, to argue; to dispute, to litigate
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March 24, 2026
讼(訟)sòng(song4)
The character 讼 (sòng) primarily refers to legal disputes and litigation. It is commonly used in contexts involving accusations, legal arguments, or courtroom disputes. This term can denote both the act of litigating and the concept of legal contention itself.
Strokes6Radical讠Frequency#23723DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of litigation is often seen as a last resort, reflecting the value placed on harmony and resolution outside of court. Disputes are typically encouraged to be settled amicably.
Memory Tip
Imagine a courtroom scene where two parties are 'sounding' off against each other, creating a 'song' of arguments. The character 讼 features the speech radical 言 (yán) on the left, highlighting its connection to speaking and arguing.
Meanings of 讼
sòng(song4)
1litigation
2to accuse, to argue; to dispute, to litigate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 讼
讼Simplified
訟Traditional
6Strokes
讠Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#23723Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 讼
Podcast: 讼
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AI Study Notes for 讼
Quick Contrast
诉 (sù) - use 讼 when emphasizing the dispute aspect of litigation, whereas 诉 focuses more on the act of suing or filing a complaint.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a courtroom scene where two parties are 'sounding' off against each other, creating a 'song' of arguments. The character 讼 features the speech radical 言 (yán) on the left, highlighting its connection to speaking and arguing.
Usage Notes
One common mistake is using 讼 in informal contexts; it is typically reserved for formal legal discussions. Be cautious with similar-sounding words like 送 (sòng), which means 'to send.' Collocations include '诉讼' (sùsòng), meaning 'lawsuit.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 讼 is not on the HSK list, it connects to legal vocabulary that may appear in HSK materials. Focus on memorizing its pronunciation and usage in legal contexts, which will aid in understanding related terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of litigation is often seen as a last resort, reflecting the value placed on harmony and resolution outside of court. Disputes are typically encouraged to be settled amicably.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 讼 with similar characters like 送 (sòng), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我想要讼这个包裹' (I want to litigate this package) is incorrect; it should be '我想要送这个包裹' (I want to send this package).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 讼
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Grammar Patterns of 讼
讼 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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 5
Complete the Sentence
地方法官承认该慈善机构有理由提起诉____。
The magistrates granted that the charity was justified in bringing the action.
Example Sentences for 讼 (10)
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1
地方法官承认该慈善机构有理由提起诉讼。
dì fāng fǎ guān chéng rèn gāi cí shàn jī gòu yǒu lǐ yóu tí qǐ sù sòng。
The magistrates granted that the charity was justified in bringing the action.
2
对某些有不忠嫌疑的官员已经提起了诉讼。
duì mǒu xiē yǒu bù zhōng xián yí de guān yuán yǐ jīng tí qǐ le sù sòng。
Charges had already been made against certain officials suspected of disloyalty.
He was jailed for 18 months and ordered to pay £550 costs.
4
警方已宣布不会提起诉讼。
jǐng fāng yǐ xuān bù bù huì tí qǐ sù sòng。
Police have announced they will not be pressing charges.
5
马丁在考虑对朱克曼提起诉讼。
mǎ dīng zài kǎo lǜ duì zhū kè màn tí qǐ sù sòng。
Martin was thinking of taking legal action against Zuckerman.
6
她对该杂志提起的诽谤诉讼尚未判决。
tā duì gāi zá zhì tí qǐ de fěi bàng sù sòng shàng wèi pàn jué。
She had a libel action against the magazine pending.
7
在法庭讼案中，他们提出和解费数额太少。
zài fǎ tíng sòng àn zhōng， ， tā mén tí chū hé jiě fèi shù é tài。
In court filings, they argued that the settlement was inadequate.
8
这家报纸正和提起损害赔偿诉讼的女演员对簿公堂。
zhè jiā bào zhǐ zhèng hé tí qǐ sǔn hài péi cháng sù sòng de nǚ yǎn yuán duì bù gōng táng。
The newspaper is fighting a damages action brought by the actress.
9
公司愿意将诉讼拖上几年。
gōng sī yuàn yì jiāng sù sòng tuō shàng jī nián。
The company was willing to drag out the proceedings for years.
10
他的讼案将于3月在劳资法庭受审。
tā de sòng àn jiāng yú3 3 yuè zài láo zī fǎ tíng shòu。
His case comes before an industrial tribunal in March.
Cultural Notes for 讼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of litigation is often seen as a last resort, reflecting the value placed on harmony and resolution outside of court. Disputes are typically encouraged to be settled amicably.
Word Family of 讼
Words Containing This Character10
诉讼sùsònglawsuit訴訟
讼sònglitigation訟
民事诉讼common plea民事訴訟
刑事诉讼法criminal procedure刑事訴訟法
诉讼法procedural law訴訟法
讼案lawsuit訟案
涉讼to be involved in a lawsuit涉訟
听讼to hear a case聽訟
聚讼纷纭to argue endlessly聚訟紛紜
包揽词讼to canvas for lawsuits (idiom); to practice chicanery包攬詞訟
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 诉讼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 讼
No, 讼 is more commonly found in legal contexts and formal discussions rather than in casual conversation.
While both relate to legal matters, 讼 emphasizes the dispute itself, whereas 诉 (sù) means to sue or to file a complaint.
