Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
镫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
镫dènglamp; a kind of cooking vesselg, 17 strokes, radical 钅, rank #46391, Very Hard
镫dèngstirrupunknown, 17 strokes, radical 钅, rank #46391, Very Hard
dèng(deng4)deng T4
  1. 1lamp; a kind of cooking vessel
  2. 2stirrup
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

镫(鐙)dèng(deng4)

The character 镫 (dèng) primarily refers to a type of lamp or light fixture, often associated with traditional Chinese lighting methods. It can also denote a cooking vessel used in specific regional cuisines or a stirrup used in riding. This character embodies both everyday utility and cultural significance in various contexts.

Strokes17Radical钅Frequency#46391DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, lamps like the 镫 were essential for illuminating homes during evening hours, reflecting the importance of light in social gatherings and rituals. The stirrup aspect connects to the historical significance of horseback riding in Chinese society.

Memory tip

Imagine a lamp (dèng) illuminating a cooking vessel beneath it, both made of metal, represented by the radical 钅 (metal). Picture a stirrup hanging from a lamp, ready for a rider, linking the shape of the character to its meanings through a story of light and support.

Meanings of 镫

dèng(deng4)
1lamp; a kind of cooking vessel
2stirrup
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 镫 means.

About 镫

镫Simplified
鐙Traditional
17Strokes
钅Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 镫

JasonAmy

Podcast: 镫

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 镫

Usage Notes

While 镫 is a less common word, it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about traditional objects. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing dèng, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It often collocates with terms related to lighting or cooking.

HSK Study Tips

Although 镫 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, recognizing it can enhance understanding of cultural references in advanced texts. Students should focus on distinguishing its meaning from other similar characters related to light and cooking to build a broader vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 镫 with 灯 due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '我买了一个灯' (I bought a lamp) when intending to refer to a traditional lamp specifically as 镫 would be incorrect. Use 镫 for cultural references and 灯 for everyday lamps.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 镫

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 镫, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 镫 to you

Let me explain 镫 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 镫 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 镫?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 镫 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 镫

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

metal

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

Origin

镫 = 钅 + 登. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 镫

IDS Structure⿰钅登
镫Full character
=
钅jin1
left
登deng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 镫?

How to say lamp; a kind of cooking vessel in Chinese

“lamp; a kind of cooking vessel” in Chinese is镫dèng

The character 镫 (dèng) primarily refers to a type of lamp or light fixture, often associated with traditional Chinese lighting methods. It can also denote a cooking vessel used in specific regional cuisines or a stirrup used in riding. This character embodies both everyday utility and cultural significance in various contexts.

When to use 镫

While 镫 is a less common word, it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about traditional objects. Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing dèng, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It often collocates with terms related to lighting or cooking.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 镫 with 灯 due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '我买了一个灯' (I bought a lamp) when intending to refer to a traditional lamp specifically as 镫 would be incorrect. Use 镫 for cultural references and 灯 for everyday lamps.

Write 镫

镫

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 镫

镫 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

简一只脚就近蹬上马____,转脸看着陌生人。

Jane put one foot in the near stirrup and turned to look at the stranger.

Example sentences for 镫 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
简一只脚就近蹬上马镫,转脸看着陌生人。

jiǎn yī zhī jiǎo jiùjìn dēng shàng mǎ dèng, zhuǎi liǎn kàn zhe mòshēng rén。

Jane put one foot in the near stirrup and turned to look at the stranger.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 镫?

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 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 镫

Words containing this character2
马镫mǎdèngstirrup馬鐙
镫dèngstirrup鐙
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 镫

What does 马镫 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 镫

You can say '这个镫在晚上给我们提供了很好的光线' (This lamp provides us with good light at night).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 镫?

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