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巷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
巷xiànglaneHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 巳, rank #10499, Hard
巷xiàngalleyHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 巳, rank #10499, Hard
xiàng(xiang4) T4
  1. 1lane
  2. 2alley
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
巷xiàng(xiang4)

The character 巷 (xiàng) refers to a narrow street or alleyway, typically found in urban settings. It is often used to describe smaller passageways that connect larger roads, and can evoke a sense of intimacy or seclusion in a bustling city.

Strokes9Radical巳Frequency#10499DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cities, alleys (巷) often have historical significance and are home to traditional neighborhoods, showcasing the cultural heritage and communal life that exist away from main thoroughfares.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small, winding alley where people whisper secrets. The character 巷 looks like a person (丶) wandering through a narrow space (巷) between tall buildings, emphasizing the idea of a hidden lane.

Meanings of 巷

xiàng(xiang4)
1lane
2alley
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 巷

巷Simplified
9Strokes
巳Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#10499Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 巷

JasonAmy

Podcast: 巷

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 巷

Quick Contrast

巷 (xiàng) vs 街 (jiē) — use 巷 for narrower, more intimate passageways, while 街 refers to wider streets.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a small, winding alley where people whisper secrets. The character 巷 looks like a person (丶) wandering through a narrow space (巷) between tall buildings, emphasizing the idea of a hidden lane.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 巷 with other words for street, such as 街 (jiē), which refers to a broader street. It is generally used in informal contexts and can be combined with other words, such as 小巷 (xiǎo xiàng) for 'narrow alley'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 巷 connects with other location-related vocabulary. Students should focus on using it in context with other directional and location words to enhance their spatial vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cities, alleys (巷) often have historical significance and are home to traditional neighborhoods, showcasing the cultural heritage and communal life that exist away from main thoroughfares.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 巷 with 胡同 (hútong), which specifically refers to traditional alleyways in Beijing. For example, saying '我住在胡同' (Wǒ zhù zài hútong) when referring to a general alley may lead to confusion; instead, use '我住在巷' (Wǒ zhù zài xiàng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 巷

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Etymology of 巷

Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 邑 represents the meaning and 共 represents the sound.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 巷?

Decomposition of 巷

IDS Structure⿱共巳
巷Full Character
=
共gong4
top
巳si4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 巷?

Write 巷

巷

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 巷

巷 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

大街小____，比比皆是。

On every street and alley — they can be found everywhere.

Example Sentences for 巷 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
约翰驱车穿过小巷向家驶去。

yuē hàn qū chē chuān guò xiǎo xiàng xiàng jiā shǐ qù。

John drove homeward through the lanes.
2
街东3条小巷,街西4条小巷,由街中向上延伸.

jiē dōng3 3 tiáo xiǎo, xiàng ,4 jiē xī 4, tiáo xiǎo xiàng , yóu jiē zhōng.

Street eastbound lanes 3,4 lane West Street by Street extended upward.
3
侧巷和后花园之间用墙隔开了。

cè xiàng hé hòu huā yuán zhī jiān yòng qiáng gé kāi le。

The side alley was walled off from the back garden.
4
她带着他们走进一条空寂无人的小巷。

tā dài zháo tā mén zǒu jìn yī tiáo kōng jì wú rén de xiǎo xiàng。

She led them into a deserted sidestreet.
5
康多带着我在漆黑的小巷中穿行，直到闻到那种味道，我知道我们到了。

kāng duō dài zháo wǒ zài qī hēi de xiǎo xiàng zhōng chuān háng， ， zhí dào wén dào nà zhǒng wèi， dào ， wǒ zhī dào wǒ mén。

Khandoo guided me through the dark alleys until the smell told me we had arrived.
6
在这古香古色的村庄里,有很多小巷.

zài zhè gǔ xiāng gǔ sè de cūn zhuāng lǐ, , yǒu hěn duō xiǎo.

There were many small lanes in the quaint village.
7
十字路口左转进克雷巷。

shí zì lù kǒu zuǒ zhuǎn jìn kè léi xiàng。

Turn left at the crossroads into Clay Lane.
8
我正打算沿这条小巷往南走，去寄几封信。

wǒ zhèng dǎ suàn yán zhè tiáo xiǎo xiàng wǎng nán zǒu， ， qù jì jī fēng。

I'm just going to walk down the lane now and post some letters.
9
他从小在巴拿马城中心闹市区的穷街陋巷里长大。

tā cóng xiǎo zài bā ná mǎ chéng zhōng xīn nào shì qū de qióng jiē lòu xiàng lǐ cháng dà。

He was raised on the mean streets of the central market district of Panama City.
10
我紧随他穿过一条条迂迴曲折的窄巷.

wǒ jǐn suí tā chuān guò yī tiáo tiáo yū huí qū zhē de zhǎi xiàng.

I followed him through a maze of narrow alleys.

Cultural Notes for 巷

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cities, alleys (巷) often have historical significance and are home to traditional neighborhoods, showcasing the cultural heritage and communal life that exist away from main thoroughfares.

Word Family of 巷

Compounds4
港Gang3Hong Kong, abbr. for 香港[Xiāng gǎng]
塂
寋
闀
Words Containing This Character13
巷xiànglane
小巷alley
巷子alley
大街小巷dàjiēxiǎoxiànggreat streets and small alleys (idiom); everywhere in the city
街头巷尾top of streets, bottom of alleys (idiom); everywhere in the city街頭巷尾
万人空巷the whole town turns out萬人空巷
酒香不怕巷子深fragrant wine fears no dark alley (idiom)
街谈巷议the talk of the town (idiom)街談巷議
街巷street
里巷lane
东交民巷a street to the south of the Forbidden City that was the Legation quarter during the Boxer uprising東交民巷
死巷blind alley
烟花柳巷red-light district煙花柳巷
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 港 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 巷

巷 refers to a narrow alley or lane, while 街 refers to a wider street or road.