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March 24, 2026
家乡(家鄉)jiāxiāng(jia1xiang1)
家乡 (jiāxiāng) refers to one's hometown or native place, the location where a person grew up or has deep personal connections. It is commonly used when discussing one's roots, family heritage, or nostalgic memories associated with that place.
Strokes13Frequency#3987DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 家乡 is deeply tied to one's identity and family lineage, often celebrated in festivals or gatherings that honor local traditions and customs.
Memory Tip
Think of 家 (jiā) meaning 'home' and 乡 (xiāng) meaning 'village' or 'countryside'. Imagine a cozy home in a village where you feel a strong sense of belonging and nostalgia, connecting the sound 'jia' with 'home' and 'xiang' with 'countryside'.
Meanings of 家乡
jiāxiāng(jia1xiang1)
1hometown
2native place
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About 家乡
家乡Simplified
家鄉Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3987Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 家乡
Podcast: 家乡
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AI Study Notes for 家乡
Quick Contrast
故乡 (gùxiāng) - use 家乡 (jiāxiāng) for a more personal connection to one's hometown, while 故乡 (gùxiāng) can imply a broader, sometimes more nostalgic sense of one's native place.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 家乡 with 祖国 (zǔguó), which means 'motherland' and has a broader national connotation. 家乡 is more personal and specific. It is typically used in informal conversations or narratives about one's past.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 家乡 connects to other personal and geographical terms you may encounter, such as 乡村 (xiāngcūn, village) and 故乡 (gùxiāng, hometown). Focus on using it in sentences that express nostalgia or identity.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 家乡 with 乡村 (xiāngcūn), which specifically means 'countryside' and doesn't carry the same personal connection. Remember, 家乡 is about where you feel at home, not just the rural aspect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 家乡
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家乡 (jiāxiāng) refers to one's hometown or native place, the location where a person grew up or has deep personal connections. It is commonly used when discussing one's roots, family heritage, or nostalgic memories associated with that place.
When to use 家乡
Learners often confuse 家乡 with 祖国 (zǔguó), which means 'motherland' and has a broader national connotation. 家乡 is more personal and specific. It is typically used in informal conversations or narratives about one's past.
家乡 or something close to it
故乡 (gùxiāng) - use 家乡 (jiāxiāng) for a more personal connection to one's hometown, while 故乡 (gùxiāng) can imply a broader, sometimes more nostalgic sense of one's native place.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 家乡 with 乡村 (xiāngcūn), which specifically means 'countryside' and doesn't carry the same personal connection. Remember, 家乡 is about where you feel at home, not just the rural aspect.
Write 家乡
家
乡
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Grammar Patterns of 家乡
家乡 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.
