Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
桨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
桨jiǎngoarHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13884, Very Hard
桨jiǎngpaddleHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #13884, Very Hard
jiǎng(jiang3) T3
  1. 1oar
  2. 2paddle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

桨(槳)jiǎng(jiang3)

The character 桨 (jiǎng) refers to a type of implement used for propelling a boat through water, commonly known as an oar or paddle. It is used in contexts related to boating, canoeing, and kayaking, emphasizing its role in navigation and movement across water. This term can also imply the action of paddling itself.

Strokes10Radical木Frequency#13884DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, water activities such as dragon boat racing are significant, and 桨 (jiǎng) is an essential tool in these traditional events. The importance of teamwork and coordination in such races reflects broader cultural values of cooperation and community.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large paddle (桨) cutting through the water as you row. The character has a radical 木 (wood) on the left, indicating that oars are typically made of wood. Visualize a scene where you're using a wooden oar to navigate a serene lake, hearing the splash as you push through the water.

Meanings of 桨

jiǎng(jiang3)
1oar
2paddle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 桨

桨Simplified
槳Traditional
10Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13884Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 桨

JasonAmy

Podcast: 桨

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 桨

Quick Contrast

桨 (jiǎng) vs 划桨 (huá jiǎng) — use 桨 when referring specifically to the oar itself, while 划桨 emphasizes the action of paddling with the oar.

Usage Notes

When using 桨 (jiǎng), it's important to remember that it is a noun and often appears in phrases related to water sports or boating. A common mistake is to confuse it with 划 (huá), which means 'to row' or 'to paddle,' as they are closely related but serve different grammatical functions. The term is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 桨 (jiǎng) connects with other boating and water-related vocabulary. Learners should focus on its usage in compound words or phrases, such as 划桨 (huá jiǎng, to row with an oar), to enhance their understanding of context and collocation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 桨 (jiǎng) with 船 (chuán), which means 'boat.' For example, saying '我有一个桨' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè jiǎng - I have a boat) is incorrect; it should be '我有一只船' (Wǒ yǒu yī zhī chuán).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 桨

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 桨 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 桨

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)丬
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 桨

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half丬 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywood
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 桨? 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 桨?

Decomposition of 桨

IDS Structure⿱⿰丬夕木
桨Full Character
=
丬qiang2
left
夕xi1
right
木Mu4
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 桨?

How to say oar in Chinese

“oar” in Chinese is桨jiǎng

The character 桨 (jiǎng) refers to a type of implement used for propelling a boat through water, commonly known as an oar or paddle. It is used in contexts related to boating, canoeing, and kayaking, emphasizing its role in navigation and movement across water. This term can also imply the action of paddling itself.

When to use 桨

When using 桨 (jiǎng), it's important to remember that it is a noun and often appears in phrases related to water sports or boating. A common mistake is to confuse it with 划 (huá), which means 'to row' or 'to paddle,' as they are closely related but serve different grammatical functions. The term is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

桨 or something close to it

桨 (jiǎng) vs 划桨 (huá jiǎng) — use 桨 when referring specifically to the oar itself, while 划桨 emphasizes the action of paddling with the oar.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 桨 (jiǎng) with 船 (chuán), which means 'boat.' For example, saying '我有一个桨' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè jiǎng - I have a boat) is incorrect; it should be '我有一只船' (Wǒ yǒu yī zhī chuán).

Write 桨

桨

Practice writing 桨 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 桨

桨 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 2 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

伴随着隆隆的低沉噪声，螺旋____开始旋转起来。

With a low-pitched rumbling noise, the propeller began to rotate.

Example Sentences for 桨 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
伴随着隆隆的低沉噪声，螺旋桨开始旋转起来。

bàn suí zháo lóng lóng de dī chén zào shēng， ， luó xuán jiǎng kāi shǐ xuán zhuǎn qǐ。

With a low-pitched rumbling noise, the propeller began to rotate.
2
头顶上，直升机在呼啸，巨大的螺旋桨叶片搅动着空气。

tóu dǐng shàng， ， zhí shēng jī zài hū， xiào ， jù dà de luó xuán jiǎng yè piàn jiǎo dòng zháo。

Overhead, the chopper roared and the big blades churned the air.
3
南希使出所有力气，用力划动双桨。

nán xī shǐ chū suǒ yǒu lì qì， ， yòng lì huá dòng shuāng。

Mustering all her strength, Nancy pulled hard on both oars.
4
10英尺长的桨拿起来感觉很笨重。

10 10 yīng chǐ cháng de jiǎng ná qǐ lái gǎn jué hěn bèn。

The ten-foot oars felt heavy and awkward.
5
直升机的螺旋桨开始转动时，尽量离远点儿。

zhí shēng jī de luó xuán jiǎng kāi shǐ zhuǎn dòng shí， ， jìn liáng lí yuǎn diǎn。

Stay well away from the helicopter when its blades start to rotate.
6
我一声令下, 大家就一起用桨把船撑离河岸.

wǒ yī shēng líng xià, , dà jiā jiù yī qǐ yòng jiǎng bǎ chuán chēng lí hé.

When I give the command, everybody pushes off together.
7
短桨特别用于划独木舟和小艇.

duǎn jiǎng tè bié yòng yú huá dú mù zhōu hé xiǎo tǐng.

Paddles are used especially to propel canoes and kayaks.
8
每个人划了一小时桨,然后休息.

měi gè rén huá le yī xiǎo shí jiǎng, , rán hòu xiū.

Each man had a paddle for an hour and then a rest.
9
他们每分钟划40桨.

tā mén měi fēn zhōng huá40 40.

They rowed 40 to the minute.
10
这只船用六把桨划.

zhè zhī chuán yòng liù bǎ jiǎng huá.

This boat pulls [ rows ] six oars.

Cultural Notes for 桨

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While the concept of using an oar is universal, the cultural significance and types of watercraft vary; for instance, dragon boat racing is unique to Chinese culture, whereas kayaking is more prevalent in Western contexts.

Word Family of 桨

Words Containing This Character3
桨jiǎngoar槳
螺旋桨propeller螺旋槳
划桨to paddle划槳
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 桨 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 桨

桨 (jiǎng) refers specifically to the oar or paddle, while 划 (huá) is the verb meaning 'to row' or 'to paddle'.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 桨?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.