HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
sweet smelling
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
aromatic
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
savory or appetizing
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
(to eat) with relish
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
(of sleep) sound
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
perfume or spice
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
joss or incense stick
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
香
xiāng
incense; fragrant, aromatic
HSK 4, ns, 9 strokes, radical 香, rank #2455, Medium
xiāng(xiang1) T1
1fragrant
2sweet smelling
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March 24, 2026
香xiāng(xiang1)
The character 香 (xiāng) refers to something that emits a pleasant aroma or fragrance. It is commonly used to describe food, flowers, and perfumes, as well as to express enjoyment or relish in experiences associated with good smells or tastes.
Strokes9Radical香Frequency#2455DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 香 is often associated with food and hospitality. For instance, during festivals, the aroma of traditional dishes is significant for celebrating family and togetherness, highlighting the importance of scent in social gatherings.
Memory Tip
Think of 香 (xiāng) as a ‘scented’ scene where you can almost ‘see’ the sweet smell wafting through the air. Imagine a blooming flower that not only looks beautiful but also has a rich, inviting fragrance that makes you want to lean in closer.
Meanings of 香
xiāng(xiang1)
1fragrant
2sweet smelling
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 香
香Simplified
9Strokes
香Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2455Frequency Rank
根Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 香
Podcast: 香
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AI Study Notes for 香
Quick Contrast
香 (fragrant) vs 甜 (sweet) — use 香 for pleasant aromas, while 甜 specifically refers to sweetness in taste.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 香 (xiāng) as a ‘scented’ scene where you can almost ‘see’ the sweet smell wafting through the air. Imagine a blooming flower that not only looks beautiful but also has a rich, inviting fragrance that makes you want to lean in closer.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 香 with similar adjectives like 美 (měi, beautiful) or 好 (hǎo, good), leading to mistakes in context. Remember that 香 specifically relates to smell and taste. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often collocating with food and scents.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 香 is essential for describing sensations, especially in culinary contexts. Students should focus on its application in phrases related to food and fragrance, and connect it with other sensory words at this level.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 香 is often associated with food and hospitality. For instance, during festivals, the aroma of traditional dishes is significant for celebrating family and togetherness, highlighting the importance of scent in social gatherings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 香 when describing something that is not related to smell or taste, such as saying '这本书香' (zhè běn shū xiāng) which incorrectly translates to 'This book is fragrant.' Instead, use it in contexts related to food or pleasant scents.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 香
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Grammar Patterns of 香
香 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 9 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.
In Chinese culture, 香 is often associated with food and hospitality. For instance, during festivals, the aroma of traditional dishes is significant for celebrating family and togetherness, highlighting the importance of scent in social gatherings.
Word Family of 香
Compounds18
馨xin1fragrant, aromatic
馥fu4scent, fragrance, aroma
馝
馡
馣
馚
馛
馜
馞
馟
馠
馢
馤
馦
馧
馩
馪
馫
Words Containing This Character20
香港Hong Kong
香xiāngfragrant
香槟champagne (loanword)香檳
香水xiāngshuǐperfume
香蕉xiāngjiāobanana
香烟xiāngyāncigarette香煙
口香糖kǒuxiāngtángchewing gum
香肠xiāngchángsausage香腸
香味xiāngwèifragrance
香草vanilla
香料xiāngliàospice
香气fragrance香氣
芳香balmy
香菇shiitake (Lentinus edodes), an edible mushroom
郁金香tulip鬱金香
香格里拉Shangri-La (mythical location)
香皂perfumed soap
花香fragrance of flowers
香槟酒champagne (loanword)香檳酒
清香sweet scent
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 馨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 香
Some synonyms for 香 include 芳 (fāng), which also means fragrant, and 美味 (měiwèi), which means delicious. Depending on the context, 香 can describe different types of pleasant smells or tastes.
No, 香 is not limited to food. While it is commonly used to describe appetizing dishes, it can also refer to pleasant aromas in flowers, perfumes, or any delightful scent. It's a versatile word in Chinese.
香 (xiāng) means fragrant, sweet smelling, or aromatic. It is often used to describe pleasant scents, especially in food. Additionally, it can refer to something that is savory or appetizing.
香 can be used to describe food, scents, or even experiences. For example, you can say '这道菜真香' (zhè dào cài zhēn xiāng), meaning 'This dish is really fragrant.' It's commonly used in contexts related to cooking and enjoyment.
You can say '这道菜香极了' (zhè dào cài xiāng jí le) which means 'This dish is extremely fragrant.'
No, 香 can also describe flowers, perfumes, and even pleasant experiences, not just food.
香 means fragrant or pleasant-smelling, while 臭 means foul or unpleasant-smelling.
