Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
扛 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
扛gāngto raise aloft with both handsHSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛gāngto carry on one's shoulderHSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛gāngold variant of 扛[gāng]HSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛gāngto lift; to carry on one's shouldersHSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛gāng(of two or more people) to carry sth togetherHSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛gāng(fig.) to take on (a burden, duty etc)HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛kángto raise aloft with both handsHSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛kángto carry on one's shoulderHSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛kángold variant of 扛[gāng]HSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛kángto lift; to carry on one's shouldersHSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛káng(of two or more people) to carry sth togetherHSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
扛káng(fig.) to take on (a burden, duty etc)HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8655, Hard
gāng(gang1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1to raise aloft with both hands
  2. 2to carry on one's shoulder
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
扛gāng(gang1)

The character 扛 (gāng) means to carry something on one's shoulder or to lift it with both hands. It is commonly used in both literal contexts, such as physically carrying an object, and figurative contexts, such as taking on responsibilities or burdens in life. This duality highlights the character's versatility in expressing both physical and metaphorical weight.

Strokes6Radical扌Frequency#8655DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, carrying heavy burdens is often seen as a symbol of strength and perseverance, reflecting the value placed on hard work and responsibility. This is particularly evident during festivals where individuals may carry large items as part of celebrations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong person 'gāng' (pronounced like 'gang') carrying a heavy load on their shoulders. The character 扛 has the radical 扌 (hand) suggesting action, combined with the sound 'gāng' which can remind you of someone in a 'gang' lifting heavy things together, reinforcing the meaning of carrying and lifting.

Meanings of 扛

gāng(gang1)
primary
1to raise aloft with both hands
2to carry on one's shoulder
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 扛

扛Simplified
6Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#8655Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 扛

JasonAmy

Podcast: 扛

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 扛

Quick Contrast

扛 (gāng) vs 抬 (tái) — choose 扛 when emphasizing carrying on the shoulder, while 抬 focuses on lifting or raising an object without specifying how it's carried.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a strong person 'gāng' (pronounced like 'gang') carrying a heavy load on their shoulders. The character 扛 has the radical 扌 (hand) suggesting action, combined with the sound 'gāng' which can remind you of someone in a 'gang' lifting heavy things together, reinforcing the meaning of carrying and lifting.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 'gāng', as a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely. This word is often used in informal contexts, but it can also be used in formal scenarios, especially when discussing responsibilities. Common collocations include 扛重物 (to carry heavy objects) and 扛责任 (to take on responsibilities).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 扛 connects well with other action verbs that deal with physical activity or responsibility, such as 拿 (ná) meaning to take or hold. Students should focus on using it in both literal and figurative sentences to enhance understanding.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, carrying heavy burdens is often seen as a symbol of strength and perseverance, reflecting the value placed on hard work and responsibility. This is particularly evident during festivals where individuals may carry large items as part of celebrations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 扛 with other similar verbs. For example, saying '我拿这个包' (wǒ ná zhège bāo) meaning 'I carry this bag' is incorrect if they mean to emphasize carrying it on the shoulder; they should use '我扛这个包'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 扛

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 扛 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 扛

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Labor 工 done by hand 扌; 工 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 扛?

Decomposition of 扛

IDS Structure⿰扌工
扛Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
工gong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 扛?

Write 扛

扛

Practice writing 扛 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 扛

扛 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 4

Complete the Sentence

他把那死沉的重物____到了肩上。

He hoisted the dead weight over his shoulder.

Example Sentences for 扛 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他把那死沉的重物扛到了肩上。

tā bǎ nà sǐ chén de zhòng wù káng dào le jiān shàng。

He hoisted the dead weight over his shoulder.
2
他们刚离开，扛着步枪的士兵们就到了。

tā mén gāng lí kāi， ， káng zháo bù qiāng de shì bīng mén jiù dào。

Scarcely had they left before soldiers arrived armed with rifles.
3
这箱子太重,不能扛下坡去, 我们只得把它拖下去.

zhè xiāng zǐ tài zhòng, , bù néng káng xià pō, qù , wǒ mén zhī dé bǎ tā tuō.

The box is too heavy to carry down the slope; we'll have to drag it down.
4
他扛起那只沉重的箱子, 吭哧吭哧地走了.

tā káng qǐ nà zhī chén zhòng de xiāng zǐ, , háng chī háng chī dì zǒu.

He heaved the heavy box and staggered off , puffing and blowing from the strain.
5
现在, 战俘身穿蓝色服装,肩扛来福枪, 在军营前大胆地走来走去.

xiàn zài, , zhàn fú shēn chuān lán sè fú, zhuāng , jiān káng lái, fú qiāng , zài jūn yíng qián dà dǎn dì zǒu.

Now, dressed in a blue uniform and with a rifle over his shoulder, the prisoner marched boldly up and down in front of the camp.
6
两天战斗之后,只有90人能继续扛枪战斗.

liǎng tiān zhàn dǒu zhī hòu, , zhī90 yǒu 90 rén néng jì xù káng qiāng.

After two days of fighting only ninety could still bear arms.
7
祥子扛起来铺盖.

xiáng zǐ káng qǐ lái pū gài.

Xiangzi hoisted his bedding - roll on to his shoulder.
8
获胜的队扛着队长走出场地.

huò shèng de duì káng zháo duì cháng zǒu chū cháng dì.

The winning team chaired their captain off the field.
9
搬运工扛着这些行李压得直不起腰来.

bān yùn gōng káng zháo zhè xiē háng lǐ yā dé zhí bù qǐ yāo lái.

The porter was weighed down by all the luggage.
10
箱子很重,但是他设法扛动了.

xiāng zǐ hěn zhòng, , dàn shì tā shè fǎ káng dòng.

The box was heavy but he managed to carry it.

Cultural Notes for 扛

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, carrying heavy burdens is often seen as a symbol of strength and perseverance, reflecting the value placed on hard work and responsibility. This is particularly evident during festivals where individuals may carry large items as part of celebrations.

Word Family of 扛

Words Containing This Character1
扛gāngto carry on one's shoulder
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 扛 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 扛

While 扛 specifically refers to carrying something on the shoulder, 拿 is a more general term for taking or holding something in hand.