Meanings of 冲
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About 冲
Podcast: 冲
Podcast: 冲
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AI Study Notes for 冲
冲 (chōng) vs 猛 (měng) — use 冲 when emphasizing the action of rushing or dashing, while 猛 focuses on intensity or ferocity.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 冲
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Etymology of 冲
Phonosemantic compound. 冫 represents the meaning and 中 represents the sound. Simplified form of 衝.
water
Origin
冲 = 冫 + 中. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 冲
Parts
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How to say (of water) to dash against in Chinese
“(of water) to dash against” in Chinese is冲
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
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Practice writing 冲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
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我挣脱了他，____进了大厅。
I broke away from him and rushed out into the hall.
Common Confusions with 冲
Similar shape but different meaning.
Which one
Which one means “(of water) to dash against”?
Example Sentences for 冲 (10)
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Word Family of 冲
Words with 冲
What does 冲突 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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