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棕色 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
棕色
zōngsè
brown
HSK 6, n, 18 strokes, rank #4593, Hard
zōngsè(zong1se4)zong se T1
1brown
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
棕色zōngsè(zong1se4)
棕色 (zōngsè) refers to the color brown, which is commonly associated with natural materials like wood and earth. It is often used in various contexts, such as describing colors of animals, clothing, or objects. The term captures a warm, earthy tone that is prevalent in everyday life.
Strokes18Frequency#4593DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the color brown is often associated with stability and reliability, much like the color of earth. It is frequently seen in traditional Chinese pottery and art, reflecting the importance of nature.
Memory tip
Imagine a brown bear (棕色) sitting on a wooden log. The bear's fur is the color of wood, linking the character 棕 (zōng) to its meaning of brown. The character has the radical 木 (wood) suggesting its connection to nature.
Meanings of 棕色
zōngsè(zong1se4)
1brown
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 棕色 means.
About 棕色
棕色Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4593Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 棕色
Podcast: 棕色
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AI study notes for 棕色
Quick Contrast
咖啡色 (kāfēisè) - use 棕色 for a more general brown shade, while 咖啡色 specifically refers to coffee brown.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 棕色 with other shades like 咖啡色 (kāfēisè, coffee color) or 黑色 (hēisè, black). It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, often used in describing objects or animals. Be careful with tone; mispronouncing the first or second tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, students should focus on using 棕色 in descriptive sentences and practice its usage in contexts like fashion, art, or nature. Connecting it with other color words can enhance vocabulary retention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 棕色 to describe colors that are not brown, such as using it for gray (灰色, huīsè). Ensure you are using the correct color context when describing objects.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 棕色
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Learning Lab
Knowing 棕色 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
棕色 (zōngsè) refers to the color brown, which is commonly associated with natural materials like wood and earth. It is often used in various contexts, such as describing colors of animals, clothing, or objects. The term captures a warm, earthy tone that is prevalent in everyday life.
When to use 棕色
A common mistake is to confuse 棕色 with other shades like 咖啡色 (kāfēisè, coffee color) or 黑色 (hēisè, black). It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, often used in describing objects or animals. Be careful with tone; mispronouncing the first or second tone can change the meaning.
棕色 or something close to it
咖啡色 (kāfēisè) - use 棕色 for a more general brown shade, while 咖啡色 specifically refers to coffee brown.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 棕色 to describe colors that are not brown, such as using it for gray (灰色, huīsè). Ensure you are using the correct color context when describing objects.
Write 棕色
棕
色
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Practice writing 棕色 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 棕色
棕色 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他是个白人，留着____的齐肩发并蓄着小胡子。
He was white, with brown shoulder-length hair and a moustache.
Example sentences for 棕色 (16)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他是个白人，留着棕色的齐肩发并蓄着小胡子。
tā shì gè bái rén， liú zhe zōngsè de qí jiān fā bìng xù zhe xiǎo húzi。
He was white, with brown shoulder-length hair and a moustache.
2
她摸着他那浓密的淡棕色胸毛。
tā mō zhe tā nà nóng mì de dàn zōngsè xiōng máo。
She touched the thick mat of sandy hair on his chest.
3
用“户外女孩”品牌的棕色眉笔更加清晰地勾勒出眉形。
yòng“ hùwài nǚ hái” pǐnpái de zōngsè méi bǐ gèngjiā qīngxī dì gōulè chū méi xíng。
Give your brows extra definition with Outdoor Girl'sEyebrow Pencil in Brown.
4
安娜穿着亚麻长袍，衬出其棕色的皮肤，显得十分高贵。
Ān nà chuānzhuó yà má cháng páo， chèn chū qí zōngsè de pífū， xiǎnde shífēn gāoguì。
Anna looked tanned and majestic in her linen caftan.
5
一只棕色的小鹿蹦跳着穿过他们面前的那条小路。
yī zhī zōngsè de xiǎo lù bèng tiào zhe chuānguò tāmen miànqián de nà tiáo xiǎolù。
A small brown fawn hopped across the trail in front of them.
6
他的头发又变回原来的淡红棕色。
tā de tóufa yòu biàn huí yuánlái de dàn hóng zōngsè。
His hair has reverted back to its original copper hue.
7
她身材偏高，棕色头发，皮肤光洁。
tā shēncái piān gāo， zōngsè tóufa， pífū guāng jié。
