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井 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
井jǐnga wellHSK 6, zg, 4 strokes, radical 二, rank #4177, Hard
井jǐngJing, one of the 28 constellations of Chinese astronomyHSK 6, zg, 4 strokes, radical 二, rank #4177, Hard
井jǐngsurname JingHSK 6, zg, 4 strokes, radical 二, rank #4177, Hard
井jǐngneatHSK 6, zg, 4 strokes, radical 二, rank #4177, Hard
井jǐngorderlyHSK 6, zg, 4 strokes, radical 二, rank #4177, Hard
井jǐngwell, mine shaft, pitHSK 6, zg, 4 strokes, radical 二, rank #4177, Hard
jǐng(jing3) T3
  1. 1a well
  2. 2Jing, one of the 28 constellations of Chinese astronomy
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
井jǐng(jing3)

The character 井 (jǐng) primarily means 'well', referring to a structure used to access groundwater. It can also denote the concept of order and neatness, often used in expressions to indicate organization. In astronomy, it represents one of the 28 constellations, reflecting its cultural significance in Chinese cosmology.

Strokes4Radical二Frequency#4177DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, wells are often seen as a source of life and community, symbolizing sustenance and order in village life. The concept of order associated with 井 also reflects the importance of harmony in Chinese philosophy.

Memory Tip

Imagine a well (井) where water is drawn in an orderly fashion. The character looks like a square with a cross in it, representing the stability of a well. To remember the pinyin 'jǐng', think of the sound like 'jingling' water as it splashes from a well.

Meanings of 井

jǐng(jing3)
1a well
2Jing, one of the 28 constellations of Chinese astronomy
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 井

井Simplified
4Strokes
二Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#4177Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 井

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Podcast: 井

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AI Study Notes for 井

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a well (井) where water is drawn in an orderly fashion. The character looks like a square with a cross in it, representing the stability of a well. To remember the pinyin 'jǐng', think of the sound like 'jingling' water as it splashes from a well.

Usage Notes

井 (jǐng) is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include 井水 (well water) and 井口 (well opening). Pay attention to the third tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 井 connects to other terms related to water and structures, such as 水 (water) and 房 (house). Focus on using it in compound words and expressions to describe orderliness and structure.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, wells are often seen as a source of life and community, symbolizing sustenance and order in village life. The concept of order associated with 井 also reflects the importance of harmony in Chinese philosophy.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 井 with other similar characters, such as 井 (jǐng) and 静 (jìng, meaning quiet). For example, saying '我在井上水' (I am on the well water) is incorrect; it should be '我在井里取水' (I am drawing water from the well).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 井

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Etymology of 井

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a well.

Memory Hint

A mine or well

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 井?

Decomposition of 井

IDS Structure⿻二？
井Full Character
=
二er4
outer
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 井?

Write 井

井

Practice writing 井 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 井

井 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

铁轨跨过这条河直达矿____口。

Across the river the railway track ran up to the pithead.

Example Sentences for 井 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
铁轨跨过这条河直达矿井口。

tiě guǐ kuà guò zhè tiáo hé zhí dá kuàng jǐng kǒu。

Across the river the railway track ran up to the pithead.
2
最后我就是无法做到在吉米倒霉时落井下石。

zuì hòu wǒ jiù shì wú fǎ zuò dào zài jí mǐ dǎo méi shí luò jǐng xià shí。

In the end I just couldn't kick Jimmy when he was down.
3
大约650个油井起火。

dà yuē650 650 gè yóu jǐng qǐ。

About 650 wells are on fire.
4
红茶和龙井茶在我们那很好卖.

hóng chá hé lóng jǐng chá zài wǒ mén nà hěn hǎo mài.

Black Tea and Longjin Tea are salable in our market.
5
上夜班的矿工应该早就安全地到达井下了。

shàng yè bān de kuàng gōng yīng gāi zǎo jiù ān quán dì dào dá jǐng xià le。

The night shift should have been safely down the mine long ago.
6
史密斯对能够把自己的生活安排得井井有条感到很得意。

shǐ mì sī duì néng gòu bǎ zì jǐ de shēng huó ān pái dé jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáo gǎn dào hěn dé yì。

Smith prides himself on being able to organise his own life.
7
周围的矿井里的确有沼气聚积。

zhōu wéi de kuàng jǐng lǐ de què yǒu zhǎo qì jù jī。

Methane gas does collect in the mines around here.
8
每天都有人来检查是否一切都井然有序。

měi tiān dū yǒu rén lái jiǎn chá shì fǒu yī qiē dū jǐng rán yǒu xù。

Someone comes in every day to check all is in order.
9
该设备被拆卸成几部分送下了井。

gāi shè bèi bèi chāi xiè chéng jī bù fēn sòng xià le jǐng。

The equipment was taken down the shaft in pieces.
10
尽管矿井的安全状况有了很大改善，矿工的家属仍然害怕最糟的情况会发生。

jìn guǎn kuàng jǐng de ān quán zhuàng kuàng yǒu le hěn dà gǎi shàn， ， kuàng gōng de jiā shǔ réng rán hài pà zuì zāo de qíng kuàng huì fā。

Though mine safety has much improved, miners' families still fear the worst.

Cultural Notes for 井

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, wells are often seen as a source of life and community, symbolizing sustenance and order in village life. The concept of order associated with 井 also reflects the importance of harmony in Chinese philosophy.

Word Family of 井

Compounds21
进jin4to advance
讲jiang3to speak
共gong4common
阱jing3variant of 阱[jǐng]
昔Xi1surname Xi
耕geng1variant of 耕[gēng]
肼jing3hydrazine
丼
乗
刱
囬
囲
坓
斉
汫
発
妌
宑
汬
畊
穽
Words Containing This Character20
井jǐnga well
矿井a mine礦井
油井oil well
井井有条everything clear and orderly (idiom); neat and tidy井井有條
钻井a borehole鑽井
水井(water) well
井冈山Jinggang Mountains, in the Jiangxi-Hunan border region井岡山
落井下石to throw stones at sb who fell down a well (idiom); to hit a person who is down
市井town
王府井Wangfujing neighborhood of central Beijing, famous for shopping
天井courtyard
井上Inoue (Japanese surname, pr. "ee-no-oo-ay")
背井离乡to leave one's native place, esp. against one's will (idiom)背井離鄉
井喷surge井噴
井口entrance to mine
井然有序everything clear and in good order (idiom); neat and tidy
松井Matsui (Japanese surname)
龙井also Longjing tea 龍井茶|龙井茶龍井
秩序井然in perfect order
井底之蛙the frog at the bottom of the well (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 进 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 井

井 refers specifically to a well, while 水 means water. They are related but denote different things.