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) 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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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
Complete the Sentence
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.
Common Confusions with 胸
胸vs凶
xiōng
Same pinyin but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "breast, bosom; heart, mind"?
Body builders shave their chests to show off their muscles.
Cultural Notes for 胸
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Word Family of 胸
Words Containing This Character20
胸xiōngchest
胸部xiōngbùchest
胸口pit of the stomach
胸罩bra
胸腔thoracic cavity
胸膛xiōngtángchest
心胸xīnxiōngbreadth of mind
胸怀xiōnghuáibreast胸懷
胸脯chest
胸前bosom
胸围bust胸圍
胸骨sternum
胸襟heart
胸中one's mind
胸有成竹xiōngyǒuchéngzhúto plan in advance (idiom)
胸腺thymus
文胸bra
胸肌pectoral muscles
胸膜pleural cavity (part of thorax containing lungs)
气胸pneumothorax (medicine)氣胸
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 胸 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.
