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March 24, 2026
肠(腸)cháng(chang2)
The character 肠 (cháng) primarily refers to intestines, which are tubular organs in the digestive system. It can also denote emotions in a more literary or poetic context, as well as being associated with certain types of sausage. In culinary terms, it is often used when discussing dishes that include intestines as an ingredient.
Strokes7Radical⺼Frequency#7240DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, dishes that include intestines, like '炒肠' (stir-fried intestines), are considered delicacies in some regions, especially in southern China. This reflects a cultural openness to various food ingredients that might be less favored in Western diets.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long, winding 'cháng' (肠) that resembles the intestines. Visualize these intestines filled with emotions, like a balloon ready to burst. The character has the radical 肉 (meat) on the left, reminding you that intestines are a type of meat, while the right part sounds like 'cháng', making it easier to remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 肠
cháng(chang2)
1intestines
2intestines; emotions; sausage
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 肠
肠Simplified
腸Traditional
7Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7240Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 肠
Podcast: 肠
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AI Study Notes for 肠
Quick Contrast
肠 (intestines) vs 脏 (organs) — use 肠 specifically for intestines, while 脏 refers more broadly to internal organs.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 肠, as it can refer to both literal and metaphorical meanings. In culinary contexts, it is common to see it paired with words like '肠粉' (chángfěn, rice noodle roll) or '香肠' (xiāngcháng, sausage). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 常 (cháng), which means 'often'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 肠 is not in the HSK levels, it connects well with other food-related vocabulary. Students should focus on differentiating it from similar characters and practicing its use in context, especially in discussions about food and health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 肠 with the character 常 (cháng), which means 'often'. For example, saying '我常吃肠' (I often eat intestines) when they mean 'I often eat' can lead to misunderstandings. The correct form should clarify the context, like '我常吃香肠' (I often eat sausage).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 肠
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Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 昜 represents the sound. Simplified form of 腸.
1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
2The sound half昜 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayflesh
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 肠? 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 肠?
Decomposition of 肠
IDS Structure⿰⺼昜
肠Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
昜yang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 肠?
How to say intestines in Chinese
“intestines” in Chinese is肠cháng
The character 肠 (cháng) primarily refers to intestines, which are tubular organs in the digestive system. It can also denote emotions in a more literary or poetic context, as well as being associated with certain types of sausage. In culinary terms, it is often used when discussing dishes that include intestines as an ingredient.
When to use 肠
Be mindful of the context when using 肠, as it can refer to both literal and metaphorical meanings. In culinary contexts, it is common to see it paired with words like '肠粉' (chángfěn, rice noodle roll) or '香肠' (xiāngcháng, sausage). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 常 (cháng), which means 'often'.
肠 or something close to it
肠 (intestines) vs 脏 (organs) — use 肠 specifically for intestines, while 脏 refers more broadly to internal organs.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 肠 with the character 常 (cháng), which means 'often'. For example, saying '我常吃肠' (I often eat intestines) when they mean 'I often eat' can lead to misunderstandings. The correct form should clarify the context, like '我常吃香肠' (I often eat sausage).
Write 肠
肠
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Practice writing 肠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 肠
肠 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.
