Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
茎(莖)jīng(jing1)
The character '茎' (jīng) refers to the stalk or stem of a plant, which is the supportive structure that connects the roots to the leaves and flowers. It is commonly used in botanical contexts, as well as in discussions about plants and gardening. In broader use, it can also imply the idea of support or a key connecting part in various systems.
Strokes8Radical艹Frequency#24543DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the importance of agriculture and plant cultivation is significant, making terms like '茎' relevant in discussions around food and sustainability. The character reflects the deep connection between nature and daily life in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall plant with a strong '茎' (jīng) that stands proudly. The character looks like a plant standing upright, with the horizontal line at the top resembling branches extending out. Think of 'jīng' as a 'giant' stem that holds everything up.
Meanings of 茎
jīng(jing1)
1stalk
2stem
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 茎
茎Simplified
莖Traditional
8Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#24543Frequency Rank
条Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 茎
Podcast: 茎
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 茎
Quick Contrast
茎 (jīng) vs 干 (gān): Use 茎 when specifically referring to the stem of a plant, while 干 generally refers to a trunk or pole, often of a tree.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall plant with a strong '茎' (jīng) that stands proudly. The character looks like a plant standing upright, with the horizontal line at the top resembling branches extending out. Think of 'jīng' as a 'giant' stem that holds everything up.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation; the tone is crucial. '茎' should be pronounced with a high-level tone (jīng), not mistaken for '京' (jīng, meaning 'capital'). It is often used with the measure word 条 (tiáo) when counting plant stems or stalks.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, '茎' connects well with other botanical terms and concepts. Students should focus on its usage in scientific contexts and familiarize themselves with related vocabulary such as '叶' (leaf) and '根' (root) to build a comprehensive understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the importance of agriculture and plant cultivation is significant, making terms like '茎' relevant in discussions around food and sustainability. The character reflects the deep connection between nature and daily life in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '茎' (jīng) with '京' (jīng). For example, saying '我喜欢京的植物' (I like the capital's plants) is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢茎的植物' (I like the plants' stalks).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 茎
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 茎 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 茎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 茎
茎 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 4
Complete the Sentence
荨麻长有四方____和细小茸毛。
The stinging nettle has a square stem and little hairs.
Example Sentences for 茎 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
荨麻长有四方茎和细小茸毛。
qián má cháng yǒu sì fāng jīng hé xì xiǎo róng máo。
The stinging nettle has a square stem and little hairs.
2
木虱会侵害活体植物并啃咬它们的茎。
mù shī huì qīn hài huó tǐ zhí wù bìng kěn yǎo tā mén de jīng。
Woodlice attack living plants and gnaw at the stems.
yī tiáo cháng cháng de jīng gǎn de měi gè jié shàng dū huì cháng chū yī duǒ qiǎn lán sè de huā。
A single pale blue flower grows up from each joint on a long stalk.
8
茎状中柱的髓显得颇强健,像厚角组织.
jīng zhuàng zhōng zhù de suǐ xiǎn dé pō qiáng jiàn, , xiàng hòu jiǎo zǔ.
The pith of this stemlike stele appears rather strongly like collenchyma tissue.
9
它象是从一片绿叶子的海里伸出来的一根长茎.
tā xiàng shì cóng yī piàn lǜ yè zǐ de hǎi lǐ shēn chū lái de yī gēn cháng jīng.
It'seemed to rise like a stalk out of a sea of green leaves.
10
他弯下腰，用刀替她将花茎割断，然后将花递给她。
tā wān xià yāo， ， yòng dāo tì tā jiāng huā jīng gē， duàn ， rán hòu jiāng huā dì。
He stooped down, cut the stem for her with his knife and handed her the flower.
Cultural Notes for 茎
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the importance of agriculture and plant cultivation is significant, making terms like '茎' relevant in discussions around food and sustainability. The character reflects the deep connection between nature and daily life in China.
Word Family of 茎
Words Containing This Character7
阴茎penis陰莖
茎jīngstalk莖
根茎stolon根莖
块茎stem tuber塊莖
鳞茎bulb鱗莖
匍匐茎(botany) stolon匍匐莖
缠绕茎vine纏繞莖
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 阴茎 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 茎
'茎' specifically refers to the stalk of a plant, while '杆' can refer to a pole or rod, often used in a more structural sense.
Yes, '茎' can be used metaphorically to describe the fundamental support of systems or ideas, similar to how a plant's stem supports its growth.
It is pronounced with a high-level tone, jīng, and should not be confused with other similar-sounding words.
