unknown, 18 strokes, radical 髟, rank #67594, Very Hard
zōng(zong1) T1
1mane; neck bristles
2horse's mane
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March 24, 2026
鬃(騣)zōng(zong1)
The character 鬃 (zōng) refers to the mane of a horse or the bristles found on the neck of certain animals. It is often used in contexts related to animals, particularly horses, and can convey a sense of wildness or natural beauty associated with their appearance.
Strokes18Radical髟Frequency#67594DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, horses have historically symbolized strength and nobility. The character 鬃 evokes imagery of horses in traditional Chinese art and poetry, where their magnificent manes often represent beauty and power.
Memory Tip
Imagine a horse with a magnificent mane flowing in the wind. The character 鬃 has a complex appearance, resembling the wild and untamed nature of a horse's mane. The top part (毛) represents hair or fur, while the bottom suggests the neck area, helping you remember that it refers to neck bristles.
Meanings of 鬃
zōng(zong1)
1mane; neck bristles
2horse's mane
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鬃
鬃Simplified
騣Traditional
18Strokes
髟Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鬃
Podcast: 鬃
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AI Study Notes for 鬃
Quick Contrast
鬃 (mane) vs 毛 (fur) — use 鬃 specifically for the mane of a horse, while 毛 refers to the general hair or fur of animals.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a horse with a magnificent mane flowing in the wind. The character 鬃 has a complex appearance, resembling the wild and untamed nature of a horse's mane. The top part (毛) represents hair or fur, while the bottom suggests the neck area, helping you remember that it refers to neck bristles.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 鬃 with similar-sounding characters that may have different meanings, such as 宗 (zōng, clan) or 踪 (zōng, trace). This character is more commonly used in literary or descriptive contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鬃 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding its structure can help learners recognize other characters related to animals. Focus on the radicals and components, especially 毛, which often relates to hair or fur.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, horses have historically symbolized strength and nobility. The character 鬃 evokes imagery of horses in traditional Chinese art and poetry, where their magnificent manes often represent beauty and power.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 鬃 as zōng1 instead of zōng, confusing it with other characters. Additionally, they may incorrectly use it in contexts unrelated to animals, leading to awkward phrasing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鬃
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Grammar Patterns of 鬃
鬃 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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 2
Complete the Sentence
这些马接受专门训练，____毛也得到精心梳理。
The horses were exercised and groomed with special care.
We padded the seat of chair with mane to make It'softer.
Cultural Notes for 鬃
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, horses have historically symbolized strength and nobility. The character 鬃 evokes imagery of horses in traditional Chinese art and poetry, where their magnificent manes often represent beauty and power.
Word Family of 鬃
Words Containing This Character2
鬃zōngbristles
鬃毛mane
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 鬃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鬃
It is pronounced as zōng, with a high-level tone.
No, 鬃 is more often found in literary contexts rather than daily speech.
Primarily, it refers to the mane of a horse or neck bristles of animals, but it can also evoke similar imagery in literature.
