HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
项
xiàng
back of neck
HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
项
xiàng
item
HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
项
xiàng
thing
HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
项
xiàng
term (in a mathematical formula)
HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
项
xiàng
sum (of money)
HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
项
xiàng
classifier for principles, items, clauses, tasks, research projects etc
HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
项
xiàng
neck, nape; item; a term in an equation
HSK 4, n, 9 strokes, radical 页, rank #1331, Medium
xiàng(Xiang4) T4
1back of neck
2item
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March 24, 2026
项(項)xiàng(Xiang4)
The character 项 (xiàng) has several meanings, including 'item' or 'thing' in both general and mathematical contexts. It can also refer to the back of the neck or nape. Commonly used in formal documents, it can denote clauses or principles in research and discussions.
Strokes9Radical页Frequency#1331DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In academic settings, 项 often appears in discussions of research projects or formal proposals, highlighting its importance in Chinese educational and professional contexts. Understanding its usage can enhance comprehension of formal Chinese texts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a long neck, and on the back of their neck (项), there are various items (项) hanging like decorations. The visual of items on a neck helps you remember both the pronunciation 'xiàng' and the character's meaning.
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AI Study Notes for 项
Quick Contrast
项 (xiàng) vs 条 (tiáo) — use 项 for formal items or clauses, while 条 is for more general or informal items.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person with a long neck, and on the back of their neck (项), there are various items (项) hanging like decorations. The visual of items on a neck helps you remember both the pronunciation 'xiàng' and the character's meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 项 with similar characters, such as 项目 (xiàngmù) which means 'project' or 'item'. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, so use it accordingly. Remember that the third tone 'xiàng' can be tricky; practice to avoid mixing it with the fourth tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 项 is connected to other vocabulary related to projects and items. Focus on its usage in formal documents and how it can be combined with other words, such as 项目 (project) and 事项 (matter).
Cultural Note
In academic settings, 项 often appears in discussions of research projects or formal proposals, highlighting its importance in Chinese educational and professional contexts. Understanding its usage can enhance comprehension of formal Chinese texts.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 项 in informal contexts where simpler terms are more appropriate, such as using it instead of 事 (shì, thing). Always consider the formality of your language when using 项.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 项
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Grammar Patterns of 项
项 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 8 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.
This book prize is the biggest of its kind in the world.
Cultural Notes for 项
🏮Cultural insight
In academic settings, 项 often appears in discussions of research projects or formal proposals, highlighting its importance in Chinese educational and professional contexts. Understanding its usage can enhance comprehension of formal Chinese texts.
Word Family of 项
Words Containing This Character20
项目xiàngmùitem項目
项xiàngitem項
项链xiàngliànnecklace項鏈
事项shìxiàngmatter事項
专项special專項
强项qiángxiàngkey strength強項
项圈necklace項圈
奖项jiǎngxiàngaward獎項
款项kuǎnxiàngfunds款項
选项xuǎnxiànga choice選項
单项single-item單項
立项to launch a project立項
项羽Xiang Yu the Conqueror (232-202 BC), warlord defeated by first Han emperor項羽
项目管理project management項目管理
四项基本原则the Four Cardinal Principles enunciated by Deng Xiaoping 鄧小平|邓小平[DèngXiǎopíng] in 1979: to uphold the socialist road, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the leadership of the CPC, and Maoism and Marxism-Leninism四項基本原則
和平共处五项原则Zhou Enlai's Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence和平共處五項原則
颈项neck頸項
进项income進項
多项式multinomial多項式
小项small item小項
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 项目 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 项
Yes, 项 (xiàng) is commonly used in formal writing, especially in academic or business contexts. It is appropriate for referring to items, clauses, or components in official documents or reports, making it a versatile term in both spoken and written Chinese.
项 (xiàng) and 条 (tiáo) are both classifiers, but they are used for different types of nouns. 项 is typically used for items, principles, or tasks, while 条 is used for long, thin objects like strips or lines. Understanding the context helps determine which classifier to use.
项 (xiàng) can mean 'item' or 'thing' and is often used in contexts like mathematics to refer to a term in a formula. It is also a classifier for various principles, tasks, or projects. Additionally, it can be a surname.
You can use 项 (xiàng) in a sentence to refer to an item or task. For example, '这个项目需要完成五个项' means 'This project needs to complete five items.' It's important to use it correctly as a classifier in appropriate contexts.
Common phrases include 项目 (xiàngmù, project) and 事项 (shìxiàng, matters or items).
Generally, 项 is more formal and is frequently used in written contexts like reports and academic discussions.
While it can refer to the neck, it is not commonly used in casual conversation; other words like 脖子 (bózi) are preferred.
