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March 24, 2026
洋yáng(yang2)
The character 洋 (yáng) primarily denotes the concept of the ocean or sea. It can also imply something vast or foreign, particularly in a cultural context. This character is often used to describe things related to the West or Western influences.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#7581DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the term 洋 often relates to Western influences, particularly in the context of modernization. The term can evoke both admiration and critique of Western customs and products.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large ocean (洋) where foreign ships (洋) come and go, symbolizing vastness and different cultures. The character's left side resembles waves while the right side suggests something flowing or foreign.
Meanings of 洋
yáng(yang2)
1ocean
2vast
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 洋
洋Simplified
9Strokes
氵Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#7581Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 洋
Podcast: 洋
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AI Study Notes for 洋
Quick Contrast
洋 (yáng) vs 海 (hǎi) — use 洋 when emphasizing foreign or Western aspects, while 海 refers specifically to the sea or ocean itself.
Usage Notes
洋 is often used in compound words like '洋葱' (yángcōng, onion) or '洋房' (yángfáng, Western-style house). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '阳' (yáng, sun), which has a completely different meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 洋 is not officially on the HSK list, it connects well with words like 海 (hǎi, sea) and 外国 (wàiguó, foreign country), which are essential vocabulary at lower HSK levels. Focus on recognizing its usage in compound words.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 洋 with similar characters like 阳 or 羊. For example, saying '阳的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, sun's scenery) instead of '洋的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, ocean's scenery) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洋
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How Well Do You Know 洋?
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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.
洋 = 氵 + 羊. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 洋
IDS Structure⿰氵羊
洋Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
羊Yang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 洋?
How to say ocean in Chinese
“ocean” in Chinese is洋yáng
The character 洋 (yáng) primarily denotes the concept of the ocean or sea. It can also imply something vast or foreign, particularly in a cultural context. This character is often used to describe things related to the West or Western influences.
When to use 洋
洋 is often used in compound words like '洋葱' (yángcōng, onion) or '洋房' (yángfáng, Western-style house). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '阳' (yáng, sun), which has a completely different meaning.
洋 or something close to it
洋 (yáng) vs 海 (hǎi) — use 洋 when emphasizing foreign or Western aspects, while 海 refers specifically to the sea or ocean itself.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 洋 with similar characters like 阳 or 羊. For example, saying '阳的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, sun's scenery) instead of '洋的风景' (yáng de fēngjǐng, ocean's scenery) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 洋
洋
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Grammar Patterns of 洋
洋 carries 5 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我看见人们出____相并不幸灾乐祸。
I find no pleasure in seeing people make asses of themselves.
Common Confusions with 洋
洋vs样
yàng
Similar pronunciation and radical, but different meanings.
tā dé yì yáng yáng dì zhàn zài tā mén zhōng jiān， ， wéi shòu rén zhǔ mù ér gāo。
She stood preening in their midst, delighted with the attention.
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Cultural Notes for 洋
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While 洋 emphasizes the vastness and foreignness of the ocean and cultures in Chinese, Western cultures might use 'ocean' more literally and less metaphorically in describing foreign influences.
Word Family of 洋
Words Containing This Character20
海洋hǎiyángocean
洋yángocean
太平洋Pacific Ocean
洋葱bulb onion洋蔥
大西洋Atlantic Ocean
大洋oceans
洋娃娃doll (of Western appearance)
西洋the West (Europe and North America)
洋溢yángyìbrimming with
印度洋Indian Ocean
巡洋舰cruiser (warship)巡洋艦
汪洋wāngyángvast body of water
远洋distant seas遠洋
洋气trendy洋氣
洋人foreigner
南洋Southeast Asia
懒洋洋lazily懶洋洋
得意洋洋joyfully satisfied
大洋洲Oceania
热情洋溢brimming with enthusiasm (idiom); full of warmth熱情洋溢
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 洋
What does 海洋 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 洋
In Chinese, 洋 is often used to denote things that are foreign or Western, such as in the term 洋货 (yánghuò), which means 'foreign goods'. This usage highlights the character's association with the idea of being vast or outside the local culture.
Common phrases that include 洋 are 洋葱 (yángcōng), which means 'onion', and 洋房 (yángfáng), meaning 'Western-style house'. These phrases reflect the use of 洋 in both culinary and architectural contexts.
You can use 洋 in sentences like '这片洋面很广阔' (Zhè piàn yángmiàn hěn guǎngkuò), which means 'This ocean area is vast.' It is often used in contexts related to geography or to describe things that are foreign.
洋 (yáng) primarily means 'ocean' or 'vast'. It can also refer to 'foreign' when used in contexts such as 洋人 (yángrén), meaning 'foreigners'. Additionally, it can denote a silver dollar or coin in certain historical contexts.
It's commonly used to refer to Western things, like '洋货' (yánghuò, foreign goods) or in phrases describing the sea.
洋 refers to the ocean or vast waters, while 海 specifically means sea, usually smaller than an ocean.
Yes, 洋 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing foreign concepts or items.
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