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.
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.
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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Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 公 represents the sound. Simplified form of 訟.
1The meaning half讠 carries the sense.
2The sound half公 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayspeech
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 讼? 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 讼?
Decomposition of 讼
IDS Structure⿰讠公
讼Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
公gong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 讼?
How to say litigation in Chinese
“litigation” in Chinese is讼sòng
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.
When to use 讼
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.'
讼 or something close to it
诉 (sù) - use 讼 when emphasizing the dispute aspect of litigation, whereas 诉 focuses more on the act of suing or filing a complaint.
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 讼
讼
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Practice writing 讼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
