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橙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chéngorange treeHSK 1, n, 16 strokes, radical 木, rank #11627, Hard
chéngorange (color)HSK 1, n, 16 strokes, radical 木, rank #11627, Hard
chéngorangeHSK 1, n, 16 strokes, radical 木, rank #11627, Hard
chéng(cheng2) T2
  1. 1orange tree
  2. 2orange (color)
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March 24, 2026
chéng(cheng2)

The character 橙 (chéng) primarily refers to the orange fruit and the color orange. It can denote both the literal fruit and the vibrant hue that resembles the color of the fruit. In contexts related to food, art, or descriptions, this word is commonly used to refer to these aspects.

Strokes16RadicalFrequency#11627DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, oranges are often associated with prosperity and good fortune, especially during Lunar New Year celebrations when they are given as gifts to symbolize wealth.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright orange sun setting on an orange tree, casting a warm glow. The character 橙 consists of the radical '木' (tree) at the bottom, representing the orange tree, and '橙' itself sounds like 'chéng', which is reminiscent of the cheerful color of the fruit.

Meanings of 橙

chéng(cheng2)
1orange tree
2orange (color)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 橙

Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11627Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L1TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 橙

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AI Study Notes for 橙

Quick Contrast

橘 (jú) - use 橙 when referring specifically to the orange fruit or color, while 橘 typically refers to tangerines or a related color.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bright orange sun setting on an orange tree, casting a warm glow. The character 橙 consists of the radical '木' (tree) at the bottom, representing the orange tree, and '橙' itself sounds like 'chéng', which is reminiscent of the cheerful color of the fruit.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 橙 with similar characters like 橘 (jú), which means tangerine. While both can refer to citrus fruits, it's important to use 橙 specifically for oranges. This word is neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 橙 connects with other color and fruit vocabulary, expanding learners' descriptive language skills. Students should practice using it in sentences about food, colors, or nature to enhance their fluency.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, oranges are often associated with prosperity and good fortune, especially during Lunar New Year celebrations when they are given as gifts to symbolize wealth.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the tones, pronouncing 橙 as 'chēng' instead of the correct 'chéng'. Additionally, some might use it interchangeably with other citrus fruits, which is inaccurate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 橙

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Etymology of 橙

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 登 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 橙?

Decomposition of 橙

IDS Structure⿰木登
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
deng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 橙?

Write 橙

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

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Grammar Patterns of 橙

橙 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 3 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 5

Complete the Sentence

插图上是一簇杏____色的玫瑰,一共5朵。

The illustration shows a cluster of five roses coloured apricot orange.

Example Sentences for 橙 (10)

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1
插图上是一簇杏橙色的玫瑰,一共5朵。

chā tú shàng shì yī cù xìng chéng sè de méi guī, , yī5 gòng。

The illustration shows a cluster of five roses coloured apricot orange.
2
将这两个物种杂交后颜色会由红色淡化成橙色。

jiāng zhè liǎng gè wù zhǒng zá jiāo hòu yán sè huì yóu hóng sè dàn huà chéng chéng sè。

Hybridising the two species will reduce the red to orange.
3
人们发现橙子、柠檬和酸橙能治疗坏血病。

rén mén fā xiàn chéng zǐ、 、 níng méng hé suān chéng néng zhì liáo huài xiě。

Oranges, lemons and limes were found to cure scurvy.
4
柠檬汁和酸橙汁暂时都缺货。

níng méng zhī hé suān chéng zhī zàn shí dū quē huò。

Lemon and lime juice were both temporarily out of stock.
5
她一头长发,全部被她自己给染成了淡黄色和浅橙色。

tā yī tóu cháng fā, , quán bù bèi tā zì jǐ gěi rǎn chéng le dàn huáng sè hé qiǎn chéng。

She had long hair she'd bleached herself, all yellowy and orangey.
6
这茶有香橙花的味道.

zhè chá yǒu xiāng chéng huā de wèi dào.

This tea tasted of orange blossoms.
7
橙汁会让他恶心,别让他喝橙汁。

chéng zhī huì ràng tā è xīn, , bié ràng tā hē chéng。

Orange juice makes him sick so don't give it to him.
8
红 、 黄、橙称为暖色.

hóng、 、、 huáng 、 chéng chēng wéi.

Red, yellow and orange are called warm colours.
9
加入磨碎的橙皮,再将苹果片在其中轻拌。

jiā rù mó suì de chéng pí, , zài jiāng píng guǒ piàn zài qí zhōng qīng。

Add the grated orange rind and toss the apple slices in the mixture.
10
给这道菜配上几角酸橙.

gěi zhè dào cài pèi shàng jī jiǎo suān chéng.

Serve the dish garnished with wedges of lime.

Cultural Notes for 橙

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, oranges are often associated with prosperity and good fortune, especially during Lunar New Year celebrations when they are given as gifts to symbolize wealth.

Word Family of 橙

Words Containing This Character12
chéngorange tree
橙色orange (color)
橙汁chéngzhīorange juice
橙子orange
脐橙navel orange臍橙
橙黄orange yellow橙黃
香橙orange (tree and fruit)
甜橙sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
橙皮orange peel
酸橙lime (fruit)
橙红色red-orange color橙紅色
柳橙orange (fruit)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 橙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 橙

橙 refers specifically to oranges, while 橘 refers to tangerines. Both are citrus fruits but differ in type.