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鍾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鍾zhōngcup, glass, goblet; surnamezg, 17 strokes, radical 釒
zhōng(zhong1) T1
  1. 1cup, glass, goblet; surname
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鍾zhōng(zhong1)

The character 鍾 (zhōng) primarily refers to a type of vessel or container, often used for drinking, such as a cup or goblet. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese culture, commonly found in family names. The character denotes both a physical object and a personal identity, making it versatile in usage.

Strokes17Radical釒
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, drinking vessels like 鍾 are often used in tea ceremonies and celebratory events, symbolizing hospitality and respect. The surname 鍾 has historical significance, with notable figures in Chinese history bearing it.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, ornate cup (鍾) that is so beautiful it chimes like a bell (the sound of 'zhōng'). The character has the radical for metal (金), suggesting that it may be a precious goblet. Picture this cup being used in a celebration, where the sound of clinking glasses fills the air.

Meanings of 鍾

zhōng(zhong1)
1cup, glass, goblet; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鍾

鍾Simplified
17Strokes
釒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鍾

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Podcast: 鍾

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AI Study Notes for 鍾

Usage Notes

Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing 鍾, as it is pronounced with the first tone (zhōng), which can be confused with similar sounding characters. It is used more formally when referring to the vessel, while the surname usage is common across all contexts. Common collocations include 鍾杯 (zhōng bēi, wine goblet) and 鍾情 (zhōng qíng, to be infatuated).

HSK Study Tips

Although 鍾 is not found in HSK levels, it connects with other characters at the advanced level related to objects and family names. Students should focus on understanding its dual meaning and practice using it in both contexts. Explore related vocabulary around drinking vessels and surnames.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鍾 with similar sounding characters like 中 (zhōng, middle) or 钟 (zhōng, bell). For example, saying '我有一个中杯' instead of '我有一个鍾杯' can lead to misunderstandings. Remember to use 鍾 specifically for goblets or as a surname.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鍾

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Etymology of 鍾

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 中 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鐘.

Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)釒
+
Phonetic (sound)重
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鍾

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 中 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鐘.

  1. 1The meaning half釒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half重 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymetal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 鍾? 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 鍾?

Decomposition of 鍾

IDS Structure⿰釒重
鍾Full Character
=
釒jin1
left
重chong2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鍾?

How to say cup, glass, goblet; surname in Chinese

“cup, glass, goblet; surname” in Chinese is鍾zhōng

The character 鍾 (zhōng) primarily refers to a type of vessel or container, often used for drinking, such as a cup or goblet. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese culture, commonly found in family names. The character denotes both a physical object and a personal identity, making it versatile in usage.

When to use 鍾

Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing 鍾, as it is pronounced with the first tone (zhōng), which can be confused with similar sounding characters. It is used more formally when referring to the vessel, while the surname usage is common across all contexts. Common collocations include 鍾杯 (zhōng bēi, wine goblet) and 鍾情 (zhōng qíng, to be infatuated).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鍾 with similar sounding characters like 中 (zhōng, middle) or 钟 (zhōng, bell). For example, saying '我有一个中杯' instead of '我有一个鍾杯' can lead to misunderstandings. Remember to use 鍾 specifically for goblets or as a surname.

Write 鍾

鍾

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 鍾

Words Containing This Character20
分钟fēnzhōngminute分鐘
钟zhōngclock鐘
闹钟nàozhōngalarm clock鬧鐘
钟头zhōngtóuhour鐘頭
一见钟情love at first sight (idiom)一見鐘情
钟爱to treasure鍾愛
时钟clock時鐘
钟表clock鐘錶
警钟jǐngzhōngalarm bell警鐘
钟情to fall in love鍾情
情有独钟to have a feeling for sth (affection, sympathy, passion etc)情有獨鍾
钟楼bell tower鐘樓
生物钟biological clock生物鐘
秒钟(time) second秒鐘
钟点工hourly worker鐘點工
钟点hour鐘點
点钟(indicating time of day) o'clock點鐘
钱钟书Qian Zhongshu (1910-1998), literary academic and novelist, author of the 1947 novel Fortress Beseiged 圍城|围城錢鐘書
钟山Zhongshan county in Hezhou 賀州|贺州[Hè​zhōu], Guangxi鐘山
钟摆pendulum鐘擺
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 分钟 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鍾

鍾 refers to a cup or goblet and can also be a surname.

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