Meanings of 广
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About 广
Podcast: 广
Podcast: 广
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AI Study Notes for 广
宽 (kuān) - use 广 (guǎng) when emphasizing breadth or extent, while 宽 (kuān) focuses more on physical width or spaciousness.
Learners often confuse 广 with similar characters like 宽 (kuān), which also means 'wide' but has a different nuance related to width. It is generally informal, but can be used in formal contexts when discussing geography or architecture. Pay attention to the fourth tone of guǎng to avoid tonal confusion.
While 广 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is beneficial to learn alongside words related to space and size, such as 宽 (kuān) and 大 (dà). Focus on using it in sentences that describe locations or sizes to solidify understanding.
A common mistake is confusing 广 with other characters that have similar meanings, such as 大 (dà) meaning 'big.' For example, saying '这个房子很大' (zhège fángzi hěn dà) instead of '这个房子很广' (zhège fángzi hěn guǎng) when referring to a spacious house can lead to misunderstanding.
Pronunciation of 广
Drill the tone of 广 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 广
Variant form of 宀 (roof). In simplified Chinese 广 is also used to mean "wide", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 廣.
A lean-to 厂, suggesting a building
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 广
Variant form of 宀 (roof). In simplified Chinese 广 is also used to mean "wide", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 廣.
- 1The giveawayA lean-to 厂, suggesting a building
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 广? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 广?
Decomposition of 广
Identify the Components
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How to say wide in Chinese
“wide” in Chinese is广
The character 广 (guǎng) primarily means 'wide' or 'broad.' It is commonly used to describe large areas, such as wide spaces or extensive properties. Additionally, it can refer to the concept of spreading or being numerous, making it versatile in various contexts.
When to use 广
Learners often confuse 广 with similar characters like 宽 (kuān), which also means 'wide' but has a different nuance related to width. It is generally informal, but can be used in formal contexts when discussing geography or architecture. Pay attention to the fourth tone of guǎng to avoid tonal confusion.
广 or something close to it
宽 (kuān) - use 广 (guǎng) when emphasizing breadth or extent, while 宽 (kuān) focuses more on physical width or spaciousness.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is confusing 广 with other characters that have similar meanings, such as 大 (dà) meaning 'big.' For example, saying '这个房子很大' (zhège fángzi hěn dà) instead of '这个房子很广' (zhège fángzi hěn guǎng) when referring to a spacious house can lead to misunderstanding.
Write 广
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Practice writing 广 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 广
广 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 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.
Complete the Sentence
这趟列车由上海开往____州。
This train runs from Shanghai to Guangzhou.
Example Sentences for 广 (12)
Cultural Notes for 广
In modern Chinese, 广 is often used in expressions related to advertisements, such as 广告 (guǎnggào) meaning 'advertisement'. This highlights the character's association with spreading information widely.
Word Family of 广
Compound Meaning
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Frequently Asked Questions about 广
Synonyms for 广 (guǎng) include 宽 (kuān), which also means wide, and 辽阔 (liáokùo), meaning vast. Each of these words can be used in different contexts to describe expansiveness.
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