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March 24, 2026
横(橫)héng(heng2)
The character 横 (héng) primarily means 'horizontal' or 'across,' often used in contexts relating to direction or layout. It can also imply something harsh or unreasonable, making it versatile in describing situations or behaviors. This word is frequently encountered in both everyday conversation and formal writing, especially in art or design discussions.
Strokes15Radical木Frequency#6346DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese calligraphy, the 横 stroke is fundamental and often symbolizes a strong foundation. Mastering this stroke is essential for students of calligraphy and is often one of the first strokes taught, reflecting the importance of horizontal lines in various artistic traditions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a horizontal line stretching across a canvas. The character 横 looks like a horizontal stroke itself, resembling a straight line. To remember 'héng,' think of a 'hang' sign that is placed horizontally, guiding people across a street.
Meanings of 横
héng(heng2)
primary
1horizontal
2across
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 横
横Simplified
橫Traditional
15Strokes
木Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#6346Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 横
Podcast: 横
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AI Study Notes for 横
Quick Contrast
横 (héng) vs 竖 (shù) — use 横 for horizontal orientation, while 竖 specifically refers to vertical orientation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 横 with other directional words like 竖 (shù, 'vertical'). It's important to use 横 in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as describing a person's unreasonable attitude. Pay attention to the tone; the second tone is important in conveying the correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 HSK word, 横 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to direction, layout, and critique in language. Students should focus on using it in expressions and understanding its nuances in different contexts, particularly in literature and art discussions.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 横 to describe vertical arrangements, which should instead use 竖 (shù). For example, saying 横的线条 when referring to vertical lines is incorrect; it should be 竖的线条.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 横
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Drill the tone of 横 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 黄 represents the sound. Simplified form of 橫.
1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
2The sound half黄 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaytree
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 横? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 横?
Decomposition of 横
IDS Structure⿰木黄
横Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
黄Huang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 横?
How to say horizontal in Chinese
“horizontal” in Chinese is横héng
The character 横 (héng) primarily means 'horizontal' or 'across,' often used in contexts relating to direction or layout. It can also imply something harsh or unreasonable, making it versatile in describing situations or behaviors. This word is frequently encountered in both everyday conversation and formal writing, especially in art or design discussions.
When to use 横
Learners often confuse 横 with other directional words like 竖 (shù, 'vertical'). It's important to use 横 in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as describing a person's unreasonable attitude. Pay attention to the tone; the second tone is important in conveying the correct meaning.
横 or something close to it
横 (héng) vs 竖 (shù) — use 横 for horizontal orientation, while 竖 specifically refers to vertical orientation.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is using 横 to describe vertical arrangements, which should instead use 竖 (shù). For example, saying 横的线条 when referring to vertical lines is incorrect; it should be 竖的线条.
Write 横
横
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Practice writing 横 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 横
横 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
框架用____杆牢牢固定在后墙上。
The frames are secured by horizontal rails to the back wall.
