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冲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
冲chōng(of water) to dash againstHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto mix with waterHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto infuseHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto rinseHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto flushHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto develop (a film)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto rise in the airHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto clashHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto collide withHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngthoroughfareHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto go straight aheadHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngto rushHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngpowerfulHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngvigorousHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngpungentHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngtowardsHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngin view ofHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chōngwash, rinse, flush; dash; soarHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòng(of water) to dash againstHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto mix with waterHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto infuseHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto rinseHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto flushHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto develop (a film)HSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto rise in the airHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto clashHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto collide withHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngthoroughfareHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto go straight aheadHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngto rushHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngpowerfulHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngvigorousHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngpungentHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngtowardsHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngin view ofHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
冲chòngwash, rinse, flush; dash; soarHSK 5, v, 6 strokes, radical 冫, rank #809, Hard
chōng(chong1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1(of water) to dash against
  2. 2to mix with water
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

冲(沖)chōng(chong1)

The character 冲 (chōng) primarily refers to the action of rushing or dashing, often in the context of water. It can also denote mixing with water, infusing, or rinsing. In additional contexts, it implies vigor or power, and can be used metaphorically to describe actions that are forceful or direct.

Strokes6Radical冫Frequency#809DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of rushing or dashing forward is often associated with determination and decisiveness, reflecting values of perseverance and directness in both personal and professional life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a powerful wave crashing down on the shore, the water '冲' (chōng) dashing against the rocks. The character itself resembles a wave in motion, with the radical 冫 (ice) suggesting water-related actions, helping you remember that this word is all about movement and force.

Meanings of 冲

chōng(chong1)
primary
1(of water) to dash against
2to mix with water
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 冲

冲Simplified
沖Traditional
6Strokes
冫Radical
介词jiècípreposition (prep.)Part of Speech
#809Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 冲

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Podcast: 冲

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 冲

Quick Contrast

冲 (chōng) vs 猛 (měng) — use 冲 when emphasizing the action of rushing or dashing, while 猛 focuses on intensity or ferocity.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 冲 with similar verbs like 洗 (xǐ, to wash) or 灌 (guàn, to pour). 冲 is more vigorous and suggests an active force, while 洗 is gentler. Be mindful of the tone; the first tone (chōng) is distinct from the second tone (chóng), which has a different meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 冲 connects well with other verbs describing actions, such as 跑 (pǎo, to run) and 跳 (tiào, to jump). Students should focus on its various meanings in different contexts, especially when used in colloquial expressions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 冲 with 冲洗 (chōngxǐ, to rinse), thinking they are interchangeable, but 冲 emphasizes forceful movement while 冲洗 is specifically about the rinsing process. Always remember to use 冲 when referring to vigorous actions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 冲

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Etymology of 冲

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

Phonosemantic compound. 冫 represents the meaning and 中 represents the sound. Simplified form of 衝.

Memory Hint

water

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 冲

Phonosemantic compound. 冫 represents the meaning and 中 represents the sound. Simplified form of 衝.

  1. 1The meaning half冫 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half中 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywater
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 冲? 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 冲?

Decomposition of 冲

IDS Structure⿰冫中
冲Full Character
=
冫bing1
left
中Zhong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 冲?

How to say (of water) to dash against in Chinese

“(of water) to dash against” in Chinese is冲chōng

The character 冲 (chōng) primarily refers to the action of rushing or dashing, often in the context of water. It can also denote mixing with water, infusing, or rinsing. In additional contexts, it implies vigor or power, and can be used metaphorically to describe actions that are forceful or direct.

When to use 冲

Common mistakes include confusing 冲 with similar verbs like 洗 (xǐ, to wash) or 灌 (guàn, to pour). 冲 is more vigorous and suggests an active force, while 洗 is gentler. Be mindful of the tone; the first tone (chōng) is distinct from the second tone (chóng), which has a different meaning.

冲 or something close to it

冲 (chōng) vs 猛 (měng) — use 冲 when emphasizing the action of rushing or dashing, while 猛 focuses on intensity or ferocity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 冲 with 冲洗 (chōngxǐ, to rinse), thinking they are interchangeable, but 冲 emphasizes forceful movement while 冲洗 is specifically about the rinsing process. Always remember to use 冲 when referring to vigorous actions.

Write 冲

冲

Practice writing 冲 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 冲

冲 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 18 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我挣脱了他，____进了大厅。

I broke away from him and rushed out into the hall.

Common Confusions with 冲

冲vs宠
chǒng

Similar shape but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "(of water) to dash against"?

or

Example Sentences for 冲 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我挣脱了他，冲进了大厅。

wǒ zhèng tuō le tā， ， chōng jìn le dà。

I broke away from him and rushed out into the hall.
2
给你的咖啡，按你的口味冲的。

gěi nǐ de kā fēi， ， àn nǐ de kǒu wèi chōng。

Here's your coffee, just the way you like it.
3
当门被再次猛地推开时，雷切尔冲了出去。

dāng mén bèi zài cì měng dì tuī kāi shí， ， léi qiē ěr chōng le chū。

Rachel burst out as the door was flung open again.
4
从山上冲刷下来的泥土就要让水电大坝淤塞了。

cóng shān shàng chōng shuā xià lái de ní tǔ jiù yào ràng shuǐ diàn dà bà yū sāi le。

The soil washed from the hills is silting up the hydroelectric dams.
5
这是完全对立的目标之间的正面冲突。

zhè shì wán quán duì lì de mù biāo zhī jiān de zhèng miàn chōng tū。

This was a straight conflict of directly opposed aims.
6
一伙暴徒捣毁了警察设置的路障冲进法庭。

yī huǒ bào tú dǎo huǐ le jǐng chá shè zhì de lù zhàng chōng jìn fǎ tíng。

An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom.
7
洪水冲垮了釜山的一座主要桥梁。

hóng shuǐ chōng kuǎ le fǔ shān de yī zuò zhǔ yào qiáo liáng。

Flood waters washed away one of the main bridges in Pusan.
8
他把软管铺展开来，把它们彻底冲洗了一下。

tā bǎ ruǎn guǎn pū zhǎn kāi lái， ， bǎ tā mén chè dǐ chōng xǐ le yī。

He uncoiled the hose and gave them a thorough drenching.
9
一贯性急冲动的他又宣布要退学了。

yī guàn xìng jí chōng dòng de tā yòu xuān bù yào tuì xué le。

With characteristic impetuosity, he announced he was leaving school.
10
这一冲突实际上很有可能演变成国际化问题。

zhè yī chōng tū shí jì shàng hěn yǒu kě néng yǎn biàn chéng guó jì huà wèn tí。

A very real danger exists of the conflict becoming internationalised.

Word Family of 冲

Words Containing This Character20
冲chōngto infuse沖
冲突chōngtūconflict衝突
冲动chōngdòngto have an urge衝動
冲击chōngjīto attack衝擊
冲浪chōnglàngto surf衝浪
冲洗chōngxǐto rinse沖洗
脉冲pulse (physics)脈衝
冲刺chōngcìto sprint衝刺
冲进to rush in衝進
冲出to rush out衝出
冲破breakthrough衝破
缓冲buffer緩衝
冲天to soar沖天
冲锋to charge衝鋒
冲击力force of impact or thrust衝擊力
冲撞chōngzhuàngto collide衝撞
冲击波shock wave衝擊波
冲向to charge into衝嚮
冲锋枪submachine gun衝鋒槍
冲绳Okinawa, Japan沖繩
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 冲 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 冲

冲 (chōng) means to dash, rush, or infuse with water, while 混 (hùn) generally means to mix or blend. They can be related in some contexts, but their primary uses differ significantly.

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