HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #3731, Hard
酱
jiàng
marinated in soy paste
HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 酉, rank #3731, Hard
jiàng(jiang4)jiang T4
1thick paste of fermented soya bean
2marinated in soya paste
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March 24, 2026
酱(醬)jiàng(jiang4)
酱 (jiàng) refers to a thick paste or sauce made from fermented soybeans, commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It can also refer to various types of jams or pastes. This word is often encountered in cooking contexts, particularly when discussing sauces for marinating or seasoning dishes.
Strokes13Radical酉Frequency#3731DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture,酱 is integral to many traditional dishes, especially in regions like Sichuan, where spicy bean paste (豆瓣酱) is a staple. The use of various sauces reflects the complexity and flavor diversity in Chinese culinary practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chef stirring a thick, savory sauce in a pot, which looks like a rich jam. The character 酱 includes the radical for 'liquid' (水) at the bottom, suggesting its fluid nature, while the top part (将) can remind you of the action of 'bringing together' flavors, making it easier to remember that it refers to a flavorful paste or sauce.
Meanings of 酱
jiàng(jiang4)
1thick paste of fermented soya bean
2marinated in soya paste
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 酱 means.
About 酱
酱Simplified
醬Traditional
13Strokes
酉Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3731Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 酱
Podcast: 酱
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AI Study Notes for 酱
Quick Contrast
豆瓣酱 (dòubànjiàng) refers specifically to fermented broad bean paste, while 酱 (jiàng) is a general term for sauces or pastes.
Usage Notes
酱 is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts, particularly in culinary discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar words like 酱油 (jiàngyóu, soy sauce), which is a specific type of sauce made from fermented soybeans. Remember to use the correct tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
酱 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary list, but it is relevant for learners who are interested in food-related vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in cooking and practice combining it with other food-related terms to better understand its context in conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 酱 to refer to all types of sauces, not realizing that it specifically implies a thicker paste or jam-like consistency. For example, saying '我想要酱油' (I want sauce) instead of '我想要酱油' (I want soy sauce) is incorrect if they mean a liquid sauce.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 酱
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Knowing 酱 is seven skills, not one.
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.
酱 = 酉 + 丬. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 酱
IDS Structure⿱⿰丬夕酉
酱Full Character
=
丬qiang2
left
夕xi1
right
酉you3
Exercise 1 of 3
Parts
Which of these is part of 酱?
How to say thick paste of fermented soya bean in Chinese
“thick paste of fermented soya bean” in Chinese is酱jiàng
酱 (jiàng) refers to a thick paste or sauce made from fermented soybeans, commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It can also refer to various types of jams or pastes. This word is often encountered in cooking contexts, particularly when discussing sauces for marinating or seasoning dishes.
When to use 酱
酱 is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts, particularly in culinary discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with similar words like 酱油 (jiàngyóu, soy sauce), which is a specific type of sauce made from fermented soybeans. Remember to use the correct tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion with other characters.
酱 or something close to it
豆瓣酱 (dòubànjiàng) refers specifically to fermented broad bean paste, while 酱 (jiàng) is a general term for sauces or pastes.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 酱 to refer to all types of sauces, not realizing that it specifically implies a thicker paste or jam-like consistency. For example, saying '我想要酱油' (I want sauce) instead of '我想要酱油' (I want soy sauce) is incorrect if they mean a liquid sauce.
Write 酱
酱
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Practice writing 酱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 酱
酱 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 7 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
橄榄被石磙碾成了____。
The olives are crushed to a pulp by stone rollers.
Common Confusions with 酱
酱vs浆
jiāng
Similar pronunciation and appearance but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “thick paste of fermented soya bean”?
or
Example Sentences for 酱 (10)
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1
橄榄被石磙碾成了酱。
gǎn lǎn bèi shí gǔn niǎn chéng le jiàng。
The olives are crushed to a pulp by stone rollers.
2
意大利肉酱面是绝好的安慰食物。
yì dà lì ròu jiàng miàn shì jué hǎo de ān wèi shí wù。
For me, spaghetti bolognese is the ultimate comfort food.
Cook the sauce over a low heat until it boils and thickens.
Exercise 1 of 1
Rebuild it
Rebuild it: “The olives are crushed to a pulp by stone rollers.”
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Cultural Notes for 酱
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While sauces are common in both Chinese and Western cuisines, the variety and significance of fermented sauces like 酱 in Chinese cooking is much more pronounced, often serving as a fundamental component of dishes rather than just a side condiment.
Word Family of 酱
Words Containing This Character20
酱jiàngpaste醬
酱油jiàngyóusoy sauce醬油
番茄酱ketchup番茄醬
花生酱peanut butter花生醬
果酱guǒjiàngjam果醬
鱼子酱caviar魚子醬
肉酱minced meat sauce肉醬
酱紫dark reddish purple醬紫
黄酱yellow soybean paste (fermented and salted)黃醬
辣椒酱red pepper paste辣椒醬
豆瓣酱doubanjiang豆瓣醬
苹果酱apple sauce蘋果醬
芝麻酱sesame paste芝麻醬
油盐酱醋(lit.) oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar油鹽醬醋
炸酱面zha jiang mian: ground pork simmered with salty fermented soybean paste (or other sauce) over thick wheat noodles炸醬麵
麻酱sesame paste麻醬
柴米油盐酱醋茶fig. life's daily necessities柴米油鹽醬醋茶
虾酱shrimp paste蝦醬
辣酱油Worcestershire sauce辣醬油
酱瓜pickled cucumber醬瓜
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 酱
What does 酱油 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 酱
There are many types of 酱, including sweet bean sauce, spicy bean paste, and soy sauce, each serving different culinary purposes.
酱 can be used for marinating meats, enhancing the flavor of stir-fries, or as a dipping sauce.
While 酱 typically refers to soybean-based sauces, it can also refer to other types of pastes and jams.
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