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象 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
象xiàngelephantHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 豕, rank #647, Hard
象xiàngshapeHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 豕, rank #647, Hard
象xiàngformHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 豕, rank #647, Hard
象xiàngappearanceHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 豕, rank #647, Hard
象xiàngto imitateHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 豕, rank #647, Hard
象xiàngelephant; ivory; figure, imageHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 豕, rank #647, Hard
xiàng(xiang4)xiang T4
  1. 1elephant
  2. 2shape
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March 24, 2026

象xiàng(xiang4)

The character 象 (xiàng) primarily means 'elephant,' which is a significant animal in Chinese culture symbolizing wisdom and strength. It also refers to 'shape' or 'form,' commonly used in contexts involving appearance or imitation, such as artistic representations.

Strokes11Radical豕Frequency#647DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, elephants are often seen in art and folklore, representing good fortune and wisdom. They are less common in daily life but are revered within traditional stories and symbols, often associated with Buddhism.

Memory tip

Imagine an elephant (象) using its trunk to draw the outline of its shape in the sand. The character resembles an elephant, with the left side symbolizing its large body and the right side hinting at its trunk. You can remember the pronunciation 'xiàng' by thinking of an elephant's 'sang' (a playful twist) as it trumpets.

Meanings of 象

xiàng(xiang4)
1elephant
2shape
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 象 means.

About 象

象Simplified
11Strokes
豕Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#647Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6

Podcast: 象

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Podcast: 象

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AI study notes for 象

Quick Contrast

象 (xiàng) vs 形 (xíng) — use 象 when referring specifically to 'elephant' or the symbolic meaning of 'shape' in a broader cultural context, while 形 is used for 'form' or 'shape' in a more technical or general sense.

Usage Notes

Be cautious about using 象 in formal contexts; it can sound too casual when discussing serious topics. Common collocations include '象形' (xiàng xíng, pictographic) and '象征' (xiàng zhēng, symbolize). Ensure you use the correct tone; 'xiàng' (4th tone) means 'to resemble,' while 'xiàng' (neutral tone) refers to the 'elephant.'

HSK Study Tips

Though not included in the HSK levels, 象 connects with other vocabulary about animals and shapes. Focus on its different meanings and practice using it in sentences that describe physical forms or comparisons.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 象 with 乡 (xiāng, village) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 象 specifically refers to 'elephant' or 'shape,' while 乡 relates to rural areas. Another common mistake is using incorrect tones; be careful not to mix them up, as it changes the meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 象

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Etymology of 象

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

Pictograph of an elephant.

Memory hint

boar

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

Origin

What kind of character is 象?

Decomposition of 象

IDS Structure⿳⺈口豕
象Full character
=
⺈Dao1
top
口kou3
middle
豕shi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 象?

How to say elephant in Chinese

“elephant” in Chinese is象xiàng

The character 象 (xiàng) primarily means 'elephant,' which is a significant animal in Chinese culture symbolizing wisdom and strength. It also refers to 'shape' or 'form,' commonly used in contexts involving appearance or imitation, such as artistic representations.

When to use 象

Be cautious about using 象 in formal contexts; it can sound too casual when discussing serious topics. Common collocations include '象形' (xiàng xíng, pictographic) and '象征' (xiàng zhēng, symbolize). Ensure you use the correct tone; 'xiàng' (4th tone) means 'to resemble,' while 'xiàng' (neutral tone) refers to the 'elephant.'

象 or something close to it

象 (xiàng) vs 形 (xíng) — use 象 when referring specifically to 'elephant' or the symbolic meaning of 'shape' in a broader cultural context, while 形 is used for 'form' or 'shape' in a more technical or general sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 象 with 乡 (xiāng, village) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 象 specifically refers to 'elephant' or 'shape,' while 乡 relates to rural areas. Another common mistake is using incorrect tones; be careful not to mix them up, as it changes the meaning.

Write 象

象

Practice writing 象 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 象

象 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 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她要成绩有成绩，要形____有形象，真是优秀。

She has the grades and the looks — truly outstanding.

Common confusions with 象

象vs相
xiāng

Similar pronunciation but different meaning and usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “elephant”?

or

Usage Notes for 象

Misuse of 象 as a verbCommon Error

象 can mean 'to imitate', but learners often confuse it with its noun meaning.

1

他象我很久以前的模样。

He resembles my appearance from a long time ago.

Exercise 1 of 1

Get it right

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他____我很久以前的模样。

He resembles my appearance from a long time ago.

Example sentences for 象 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
庞大的海鸟群是最壮观的景象之一。

pángdà de hǎi niǎo qún shì zuì zhuàngguān de jǐngxiàng zhīyī。

Among the most spectacular sights are the great sea-bird colonies.
2
我觉得那些人物形象即使不说是乏味无聊，至少也是毫无深度。

wǒ juéde nàxiē rénwù xíngxiàng jíshǐ bù shuō shì fá wèi wúliáo， zhìshǎo yě shì háowú shēndù。

I found the characters very two-dimensional, not to say dull.
3
她知道自己是朋友们同情的对象。

tā zhīdào zìjǐ shì péngyou men tóngqíng de duìxiàng。

She knew that she was an object of pity among her friends.
4
无迹象表明向客户售出了不适用的保险。

wú jìxiàng biǎomíng xiàng kèhù shòu chū le búshì yòng de bǎoxiǎn。

There is no suggestion that clients have been sold inappropriate policies.
5
我们目睹了一家人正在收拾家当准备离开的凄惨景象。

wǒmen mùdǔ le yījiārén zhèngzài shōushi jiā dāng zhǔnbèi líkāi de qī cǎn jǐngxiàng。

We encountered the pathetic sight of a family packing up its home.
6
同越南恢复友好关系的迹象越来越明显了。

tóng yuè nán huīfù yǒuhǎo guānxì de jìxiàng yuèláiyuè míngxiǎn le。

There have been growing signs of a ra-pprochement with Vietnam.
7
这整个地方就是那位家长式乡绅的浪漫想象。

zhè zhěnggè dìfang jiùshì nà wèi jiāzhǎng shì xiāng shēn de làngmàn xiǎngxiàng。

The whole place was the romantic vision of the paternalist local squire.
8
这是一种形象胜于语言的艺术。

zhè shì yī zhǒng xíngxiàng shèng yú yǔyán de yìshù。

It was an art in which words were subordinate to images.
9
这是一种有趣的科学现象，但没什么实用价值。

zhè shì yī zhǒng yǒuqù de kēxué xiànxiàng， dàn méishénme shíyòng jiàzhí。

It's an interesting scientific phenomenon, but of no practical use whatever.
10
这是一部气势恢宏、引人入胜的电影，充满了动人心魄的瑰丽意象。

zhè shì yī bù qìshì huī hóng、 yǐnrénrùshèng de diànyǐng， chōngmǎn le dòngrén xīn pò de guī lí yìxiàng。

This is an ambitious and intriguing movie, full of striking imagery.
11
动物园里有一只特别大的象，它的名字叫大象王。

Dòngwùyuán lǐ yǒu yī zhī tèbié dà de xiàng, tā de míngzì jiào Dàxiàng Wáng.

There is a particularly large elephant in the zoo, and its name is King Elephant.
12
在非洲旅行时，我第一次看到了野生的象。

Zài Fēizhōu lǚxíng shí, wǒ dì yī cì kàn dào le yěshēng de xiàng.

During my trip to Africa, I saw wild elephants for the first time.
13
在印度，象被视为吉祥的动物，在节日中常常出现。

Zài Yìndù, xiàng bèi shì wéi jíxiáng de dòngwù, zài jiérì zhōng chángcháng chūxiàn.

In India, elephants are considered auspicious animals and often appear during festivals.
14
象的记忆力非常出色，它们能记住很多年以前的事情。

Xiàng de jìyì lì fēicháng chūsè, tāmen néng jìzhù hěn duō nián yǐqián de shìqíng.

Elephants have an excellent memory and can remember things from many years ago.
15
在这篇关于象的纪录片中，我们了解到它们的社会结构和家庭生活。

Zài zhè piān guānyú xiàng de jìlùpiàn zhōng, wǒmen liǎojiě dào tāmen de shèhuì jiégòu hé jiātíng shēnghuó.

In this documentary about elephants, we learn about their social structure and family life.
16
象的皮肤虽然很厚，但它们也需要经常泡水保持皮肤湿润。

Xiàng de pífū suīrán hěn hòu, dàn tāmen yě xūyào jīngcháng pào shuǐ bǎochí pífū shīrùn.

Although elephants have thick skin, they also need to bathe frequently to keep their skin moist.

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Cultural Notes for 象

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, elephants symbolize wisdom and good luck. They are often seen in art and folklore as protectors.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While elephants symbolize strength and wisdom in both Chinese and Western cultures, in the West, they are sometimes considered humorous or clumsy, whereas in China, they carry a more reverent and auspicious connotation.

Word Family of 象

Compounds10
像xiàngto resemble
豫yùabbr. for Henan province 河南 in central China
橡xiàngoak
蟓xiàngsilkworm
勨xiàng
嶑xiàng
潒dàng
襐xiàng
鐌xiàng
鱌xiàng
Words containing this character20
象xiàngelephant
想象xiǎngxiàngto imagine
现象xiànxiàngphenomenon現象
对象duìxiàngtarget對象
形象xíngxiàngimage
印象yìnxiàngimpression
迹象jìxiàngmark跡象
象征xiàngzhēngemblem象徵
气象qìxiàngmeteorology氣象
大象dàxiàngelephant
景象jǐngxiàngscene
抽象chōuxiàngabstract
想象力xiǎngxiànglìimagination
气象台qìxiàngtáimeteorological office氣象台
假象jiǎxiàngfacade
幻象huànxiàngillusion
象棋xiàngqíChinese chess
国际象棋guójìxiàngqíchess國際象棋
象牙xiàngyáivory
表象biǎoxiàngidea
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 象

What does 像 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 象

象 (xiàng) refers to an elephant or a shape, while 影 (yǐng) means 'shadow' or 'image.' Though both can relate to forms or appearances, they have distinct usages in the language. Understanding these differences can help clarify your usage in conversation.

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