Meanings of 胡同
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Podcast: 胡同
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AI Study Notes for 胡同
巷 (xiàng) - use 胡同 (hútòng) for the specific cultural and historical context of Beijing's alleys, while 巷 (xiàng) is a more general term for any alley.
胡同 is often used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to specific alleys or in discussions about urban planning and culture. Be careful not to confuse it with similar words like 小巷 (xiǎo xiàng), which can refer to smaller streets or lanes. The correct tone is crucial: 'hú' with a rising tone and 'tòng' with a falling tone.
As an HSK 5 word, 胡同 connects well with other vocabulary related to urban living and cultural heritage. Students should focus on its usage in context, such as discussing neighborhoods or cultural tourism in Beijing.
Learners often mistakenly say 'hu dong' instead of 'hú tòng' due to mispronunciation. Additionally, some might use it to refer to broader streets, which is incorrect; 胡同 specifically refers to narrower lanes.
Pronunciation of 胡同
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Component Characters
How to say lane in Chinese
“lane” in Chinese is胡同
胡同 (hú tòng) refers to a narrow lane or alley, typically found in historical neighborhoods of Beijing. These alleys are often lined with traditional courtyard residences and are significant for their cultural and historical value, serving as a glimpse into the city's past.
When to use 胡同
胡同 is often used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to specific alleys or in discussions about urban planning and culture. Be careful not to confuse it with similar words like 小巷 (xiǎo xiàng), which can refer to smaller streets or lanes. The correct tone is crucial: 'hú' with a rising tone and 'tòng' with a falling tone.
胡同 or something close to it
巷 (xiàng) - use 胡同 (hútòng) for the specific cultural and historical context of Beijing's alleys, while 巷 (xiàng) is a more general term for any alley.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly say 'hu dong' instead of 'hú tòng' due to mispronunciation. Additionally, some might use it to refer to broader streets, which is incorrect; 胡同 specifically refers to narrower lanes.
Write 胡同
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Practice writing 胡同 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 胡同
胡同 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 2 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.
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夜幕渐渐降临，我们驱车在狭窄的____里缓慢前行。
As the dusk shaded into night, we drove slowly through narrow alleys.
Example Sentences for 胡同 (5)
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Cultural Notes for 胡同
In Western cities, alleys are often associated with urban decay or crime, while in Beijing,胡同 are celebrated as quaint, culturally rich spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions about 胡同
胡同 specifically refers to the traditional alleys in Beijing, while 巷 can refer to any type of lane or small street.
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