Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
恒(恆)héng(Heng2)
The character 恒 (héng) primarily means 'constant' or 'permanent.' It is often used to describe something that remains unchanged over time, such as a habit or a state of being. In addition to its general meaning, it can also represent a surname and has historical significance in Chinese philosophy, particularly in connection to the I Ching's trigrams.
Strokes9Radical忄Frequency#36948DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of constancy is often linked to philosophical ideas about stability and balance, particularly in the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism. The character 恒 also appears in discussions about the nature of change and permanence in the I Ching, a foundational text in Chinese philosophy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong, unyielding tree (恒) standing tall in a storm, representing something that is constant and unchanging. The shape of the character can be visualized as the tree's roots (亘) anchoring it firmly to the ground, signifying permanence and stability.
Meanings of 恒
héng(Heng2)
1permanent
2constant
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 恒 means.
About 恒
恒Simplified
恆Traditional
9Strokes
忄Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#36948Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 恒
Podcast: 恒
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 恒
Quick Contrast
恒 (héng) vs 常 (cháng) — use 恒 for something that is constant or unchanging over time, while 常 refers to something that is often or frequently occurring.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 恒 with similar-sounding characters, such as 衡 (héng), which means 'to measure.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases like 恒久 (héngjiǔ, meaning 'everlasting') and 恒心 (héngxīn, meaning 'perseverance').
HSK Study Tips
Though 恒 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it offers a good opportunity for learners to explore related vocabulary around constancy and permanence. Focus on understanding its use in various contexts and how it relates to other HSK words like 常 (cháng), meaning 'often' or 'usual.'
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 恒 with similar characters like 常 (cháng), which means 'often' and can lead to incorrect usage in context. For example, saying '我有恒的习惯' (Wǒ yǒu héng de xíguàn) instead of '我有常见的习惯' (Wǒ yǒu chángjiàn de xíguàn) can mislead the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 恒
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 恒 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 恒 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 恒?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 恒 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.
The character 恒 (héng) primarily means 'constant' or 'permanent.' It is often used to describe something that remains unchanged over time, such as a habit or a state of being. In addition to its general meaning, it can also represent a surname and has historical significance in Chinese philosophy, particularly in connection to the I Ching's trigrams.
When to use 恒
Be careful not to confuse 恒 with similar-sounding characters, such as 衡 (héng), which means 'to measure.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases like 恒久 (héngjiǔ, meaning 'everlasting') and 恒心 (héngxīn, meaning 'perseverance').
恒 or something close to it
恒 (héng) vs 常 (cháng) — use 恒 for something that is constant or unchanging over time, while 常 refers to something that is often or frequently occurring.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 恒 with similar characters like 常 (cháng), which means 'often' and can lead to incorrect usage in context. For example, saying '我有恒的习惯' (Wǒ yǒu héng de xíguàn) instead of '我有常见的习惯' (Wǒ yǒu chángjiàn de xíguàn) can mislead the intended meaning.
Write 恒
恒
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 恒 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 恒
恒 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 9 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.
这些____星一定是形成于100到150亿年前。
The stars must have formed 10 to 15 billion years ago.
