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胸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
胸
xiōng
breast, bosom; heart, mind
HSK 6, ng, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2361, Hard
胸
xiōng
thorax
HSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2361, Hard
xiōng(xiong1)xiong T1
1breast, bosom; heart, mind
2thorax
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March 24, 2026
胸(胷)xiōng(xiong1)
The character 胸 (xiōng) primarily refers to the chest or breast area of the body. It is also used metaphorically to represent one's heart or mind, indicating feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Common contexts for use include discussions about physical health, emotions, or inner feelings.
Strokes10Radical⺼Frequency#2361DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 胸 goes beyond the physical chest; it often symbolizes one's inner thoughts and feelings. For instance, having a broad 胸怀 (open heart) is considered a virtue, reflecting generosity and understanding.
Memory tip
Imagine a big, warm heart located in your chest (胸). The character 胸 has a 'heart' (心) in the middle, symbolizing emotional depth, and its shape resembles a warm embrace around the heart. Picture someone giving a hug to their chest, representing both physical and emotional warmth.
Meanings of 胸
xiōng(xiong1)
1breast, bosom; heart, mind
2thorax
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 胸
胸Simplified
胷Traditional
10Strokes
⺼Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#2361Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 胸
Podcast: 胸
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AI study notes for 胸
Quick Contrast
胸 (xiōng) vs 心 (xīn) — use 胸 for physical or metaphorical references to the chest area, while 心 refers specifically to the heart or mind.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the character's pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It's typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but its metaphorical meanings may be more common in literary or emotional discussions. Common collocations include '胸怀' (to have a heart) and '胸口' (chest).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 胸 connects to other body-related vocabulary and emotional expressions. Students should focus on its dual meanings—both physical and metaphorical—and practice using it in sentences that convey feelings or describe health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 胸 with similar-sounding words like 兄 (xiōng, brother). For example, saying '我的兄很宽大' (My brother is wide) instead of '我的胸很宽大' (My chest is broad) can lead to confusion. Always ensure context aligns with the meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 胸
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The character 胸 (xiōng) primarily refers to the chest or breast area of the body. It is also used metaphorically to represent one's heart or mind, indicating feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Common contexts for use include discussions about physical health, emotions, or inner feelings.
When to use 胸
Be cautious of the character's pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It's typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but its metaphorical meanings may be more common in literary or emotional discussions. Common collocations include '胸怀' (to have a heart) and '胸口' (chest).
胸 or something close to it
胸 (xiōng) vs 心 (xīn) — use 胸 for physical or metaphorical references to the chest area, while 心 refers specifically to the heart or mind.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 胸 with similar-sounding words like 兄 (xiōng, brother). For example, saying '我的兄很宽大' (My brother is wide) instead of '我的胸很宽大' (My chest is broad) can lead to confusion. Always ensure context aligns with the meaning.
Write 胸
胸
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Practice writing 胸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 胸
胸 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
即使你只感到很轻微的____部疼痛，也不要继续锻炼。
Never keep on exercising if you have even the slightest chest pain.
Body builders shave their chests to show off their muscles.
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Word Family of 胸
Words containing this character20
胸xiōngchest
胸部xiōngbùchest
胸口xiōngkǒupit of the stomach
胸罩xiōngzhàobra
胸腔xiōngqiāngthoracic cavity
胸膛xiōngtángchest
心胸xīnxiōngbreadth of mind
胸怀xiōnghuáibreast胸懷
胸脯xiōngpúchest
胸前xiōngqiánbosom
胸围xiōngwéibust胸圍
胸骨xiōnggǔsternum
胸襟xiōngjīnheart
胸中xiōngzhōngone's mind
胸有成竹xiōngyǒuchéngzhúto plan in advance (idiom)
胸腺xiōngxiànthymus
文胸wénxiōngbra
胸肌xiōngjīpectoral muscles
胸膜xiōngmópleural cavity (part of thorax containing lungs)
气胸qìxiōngpneumothorax (medicine)氣胸
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 胸
What does 胸部 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 胸
Yes, 胸 (xiōng) is often used in idiomatic expressions in Chinese. For example, '胸有成竹' (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú) translates to 'having a well-thought-out plan', which reflects confidence and foresight.
胸 (xiōng) can have several meanings including 'bosom', 'heart', 'mind', and 'thorax'. Its usage can vary depending on the context, such as expressing emotions or discussing physical anatomy.
You can use 胸 (xiōng) in sentences to refer to physical or emotional contexts. For example, '他有宽广的胸怀' (Tā yǒu kuānguǎng de xiōnghuái) means 'He has a broad heart.' This illustrates both the physical and metaphorical meanings of the word.
胸 (xiōng) primarily means 'bosom' or 'heart' in Chinese. It can also refer to the thorax or chest area in a more anatomical sense. Additionally, it can represent concepts related to mind or emotional state, emphasizing its metaphorical uses.
In a metaphorical context, 胸 can refer to one's heart or mind, encompassing feelings, thoughts, and emotional depth.
Yes, 胸 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing emotions or health.
Focus on the context; 胸 specifically relates to the chest area or emotional heart, while other words may have different uses.
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