HSK 5, n, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #1620, Medium
qiáng(qiang2) T2
1>墙[qiáng], wall
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March 24, 2026
墙(墻)qiáng(qiang2)
The character 墙 (qiáng) refers to a wall, which is a vertical structure that defines and encloses a space. It is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as in discussions about physical boundaries or emotional barriers.
Strokes14Radical土Frequency#1620DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, walls have symbolic meanings, such as protection and separation, and they appear in many sayings and idioms. For example, the phrase ‘纸上谈兵’ (zhǐ shàng tán bīng) translates to 'talking about war on paper' and often evokes the imagery of walls as barriers to action.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall, sturdy wall (墙) that stands strong against the elements. The character resembles a building block, with the bottom part suggesting a solid foundation and the top part representing the height of the wall. Think of it as a 'qiang'-ing fortress protecting you.
Meanings of 墙
qiáng(qiang2)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 墙
墙Simplified
墻Traditional
14Strokes
土Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1620Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 墙
Podcast: 墙
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AI Study Notes for 墙
Quick Contrast
墙 (qiáng) vs 亭 (tíng) — choose 墙 when referring to a solid, enclosing structure, while 亭 refers to a pavilion or structure open on the sides.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall, sturdy wall (墙) that stands strong against the elements. The character resembles a building block, with the bottom part suggesting a solid foundation and the top part representing the height of the wall. Think of it as a 'qiang'-ing fortress protecting you.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 墙 (qiáng), as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially in architecture, construction, and everyday conversation about homes.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 墙 connects to other vocabulary related to buildings and structures, such as 房子 (fángzi - house) and 窗户 (chuānghù - window). Focus on using it in sentences related to living spaces to solidify your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, walls have symbolic meanings, such as protection and separation, and they appear in many sayings and idioms. For example, the phrase ‘纸上谈兵’ (zhǐ shàng tán bīng) translates to 'talking about war on paper' and often evokes the imagery of walls as barriers to action.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 墙 (qiáng) with other similar characters like 强 (qiáng - strong). For example, saying '我看到一个强' instead of '我看到一面墙' (I saw a wall) demonstrates this error. Always ensure you're using the correct word for the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 墙
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Grammar Patterns of 墙
墙 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The birds cling to the wall and nibble at the brickwork.
Cultural Notes for 墙
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, walls have symbolic meanings, such as protection and separation, and they appear in many sayings and idioms. For example, the phrase ‘纸上谈兵’ (zhǐ shàng tán bīng) translates to 'talking about war on paper' and often evokes the imagery of walls as barriers to action.
Word Family of 墙
Words Containing This Character20
墙qiángwall牆
墙壁qiángbìwall牆壁
城墙chéngqiángcity wall城牆
围墙wéiqiángfence圍牆
防火墙fánghuǒqiángfirewall防火牆
墙角corner (junction of two walls)牆角
墙纸wallpaper牆紙
幕墙curtain wall (architecture)幕牆
人墙wall (soccer)人牆
墙头草opportunist牆頭草
爬墙to climb a wall爬牆
铜墙铁壁copper wall, iron bastion (idiom); impenetrable defense銅牆鐵壁
墙根foot of a wall牆根
红杏出墙fig. a wife having an illicit lover紅杏出牆
墙报wall newspaper牆報
火墙firewall火牆
柏林墙Berlin Wall柏林牆
狗急跳墙to be driven to desperate action狗急跳牆
粉墙whitewashed wall粉牆
山墙gable山牆
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 墙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 墙
墙 (qiáng) and 牆 (qiáng) refer to the same word, 'wall,' but 墙 is the simplified version used in mainland China, while 牆 is the traditional version used in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong. Understanding the context of where you are studying can help you choose which character to use.
Common phrases with 墙 (qiáng) include '墙壁' (qiángbì), which means 'wall surface,' and '墙角' (qiángjiǎo), meaning 'corner of the wall.' These phrases can enhance your vocabulary and help you describe your surroundings more accurately.
墙 (qiáng) means 'wall' in Chinese. It can refer to both the physical structure of a wall and metaphorical uses, such as barriers. It's an important word in both daily conversation and written language.
You can use 墙 (qiáng) in sentences to describe locations or actions involving walls. For example, '我在墙上挂了一幅画' (Wǒ zài qiáng shàng guàle yī fú huà) means 'I hung a painting on the wall.' This demonstrates how to incorporate the word into everyday speaking.
墙 is the simplified form used in Mainland China, while 牆 is the traditional form used in regions like Taiwan and Hong Kong. Both mean 'wall'.
You can use 墙 in sentences like '这面墙很高' (Zhè miàn qiáng hěn gāo) meaning 'This wall is very tall'.
Yes, one common phrase is '墙有耳' (qiáng yǒu ěr), meaning 'walls have ears', which warns about being cautious when speaking about private matters.