Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
鄧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鄧dèngsurnamex, 14 strokes, radical 阝
dèng(deng4)deng T4
  1. 1surname
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鄧dèng(deng4)

鄧 (dèng) is a common Chinese surname. It is often associated with notable figures in Chinese history and culture, making it a significant name in both modern and historical contexts. The surname can also appear in place names and is often used in combination with other characters.

Strokes14Radical阝
Cultural note

The surname 鄧 is historically significant in China, associated with prominent figures such as Deng Xiaoping, who played a key role in the economic reforms of the late 20th century. This connection highlights the cultural importance of surnames in understanding familial and historical legacy.

Memory tip

Imagine a tall person (the character 鄧) climbing a mountain (the radical 邑, which suggests a place) while shouting their name loudly (the pronunciation dèng). The mountain symbolizes the challenges one might face, similar to how someone with the surname 鄧 might have a notable lineage or legacy to uphold.

Meanings of 鄧

dèng(deng4)
1surname
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 鄧 means.

About 鄧

鄧Simplified
14Strokes
阝Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鄧

JasonAmy

Podcast: 鄧

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 鄧

Usage Notes

鄧 is primarily used as a surname and is usually not used in formal or informal greetings. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding surnames like 丁 (dīng) or 邓 (dèng with a different tone), which can change the meaning significantly. Always ensure you use the correct tone to avoid confusion.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鄧 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 1 and 2 for names and family-related vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing surnames and their significance in Chinese culture, as well as proper pronunciation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鄧 with similar-sounding surnames like 丁 (dīng) or 邓 (dèng with a falling tone). It's important to practice distinguishing these characters by their tones and meanings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鄧

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 鄧 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 鄧 to You

Let me explain 鄧 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 鄧 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 鄧?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 鄧 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 鄧

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

place

Semantic (meaning)阝
+
Phonetic (sound)登
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

鄧 = 阝 + 登. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鄧

IDS Structure⿰登阝
鄧Full character
=
登deng1
left
阝yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鄧?

How to say surname in Chinese

“surname” in Chinese is鄧dèng

鄧 (dèng) is a common Chinese surname. It is often associated with notable figures in Chinese history and culture, making it a significant name in both modern and historical contexts. The surname can also appear in place names and is often used in combination with other characters.

When to use 鄧

鄧 is primarily used as a surname and is usually not used in formal or informal greetings. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding surnames like 丁 (dīng) or 邓 (dèng with a different tone), which can change the meaning significantly. Always ensure you use the correct tone to avoid confusion.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鄧 with similar-sounding surnames like 丁 (dīng) or 邓 (dèng with a falling tone). It's important to practice distinguishing these characters by their tones and meanings.

Write 鄧

鄧

Practice writing 鄧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 鄧?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 鄧

Words containing this character8
邓小平Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997), Chinese communist leader, de facto leader of PRC 1978-1990 and creator of "socialism with Chinese characteristics"鄧小平
邓dèngsurname Deng鄧
邓迪Dundee, Scotland鄧迪
邓丽君Teresa Teng (1953-1995), Taiwanese pop idol鄧麗君
邓亚萍Deng Yaping (1973-), table tennis player, several times world and Olympic winner鄧亞萍
邓颖超Deng Yingchao (1904-1992), Chinese communist leader, wife of Zhou Enlai 周恩來|周恩来鄧穎超
邓拓wrote under the pen name Ma Nancun 馬南邨|马南邨鄧拓
邓加Dunga (1963-), former Brazilian soccer player鄧加
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 鄧

What does 邓小平 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鄧

Yes, 鄧 (dèng) is one of the more common surnames in China.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 鄧?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab