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秤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
秤
chēng
steelyard
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Very Hard
秤
chēng
Roman balance
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Very Hard
秤
chēng
balance, scale; steelyard
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Very Hard
秤
chèng
steelyard
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Very Hard
秤
chèng
Roman balance
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Very Hard
秤
chèng
balance, scale; steelyard
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Very Hard
chèng(cheng4)cheng
primary
T4
1steelyard
2Roman balance
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
秤chèng(cheng4)
The character 秤 (chēng) refers to a type of balance or scale used for weighing objects. It is commonly associated with traditional methods of measurement, particularly in marketplaces or for specific professions like butchers. The nuance of this term conveys not just the physical device but also the act of weighing and ensuring accuracy in measurements.
Strokes10Radical禾Frequency#18293DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese markets, the use of 秤 is integral to commerce, with vendors often using large, visible scales to attract customers through transparency in their measurements. This reflects a cultural value placed on honesty and fairness in business transactions.
Memory tip
Imagine a large, ancient balance scale where two sides hang evenly, symbolizing fairness. The left side has a weight labeled 'chēng,' reminding you of its pronunciation. Visualize a merchant carefully weighing goods to maintain trust, connecting the character's shape to its meaning of weighing and balance.
Meanings of 秤
chèng(cheng4)
primary
1steelyard
2Roman balance
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 秤 means.
About 秤
秤Simplified
10Strokes
禾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18293Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 秤
Podcast: 秤
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AI study notes for 秤
Quick Contrast
称 (chēng) refers to the act of calling or naming, while 秤 (chèng) specifically denotes a physical scale used for weighing.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, 秤 is often found in discussions about trade, cooking, and scientific measurements. A common mistake is confusing it with 稱 (chēng), which means 'to weigh' as a verb. Remember to use 秤 specifically when referring to the scale itself.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 秤 connects to vocabulary related to measurement and trade. Students should focus on its usage in context and learn related terms like 量 (liàng), 'to measure,' and 重 (zhòng), 'heavy,' to build a comprehensive understanding of weighing concepts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 秤 with 稱 in sentences. For example, saying '我需要一個稱' (I need a 'to weigh') instead of '我需要一個秤' (I need a scale) is incorrect. Remember that 秤 is the noun for the instrument.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 秤
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 秤 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 秤 (chēng) refers to a type of balance or scale used for weighing objects. It is commonly associated with traditional methods of measurement, particularly in marketplaces or for specific professions like butchers. The nuance of this term conveys not just the physical device but also the act of weighing and ensuring accuracy in measurements.
When to use 秤
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, 秤 is often found in discussions about trade, cooking, and scientific measurements. A common mistake is confusing it with 稱 (chēng), which means 'to weigh' as a verb. Remember to use 秤 specifically when referring to the scale itself.
秤 or something close to it
称 (chēng) refers to the act of calling or naming, while 秤 (chèng) specifically denotes a physical scale used for weighing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 秤 with 稱 in sentences. For example, saying '我需要一個稱' (I need a 'to weigh') instead of '我需要一個秤' (I need a scale) is incorrect. Remember that 秤 is the noun for the instrument.
Write 秤
秤
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Practice writing 秤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 秤
秤 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
15日新月会移至你对面的天____宫。
The New Moon takes place in your opposite sign of Libra on the 15th.
Example sentences for 秤 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
15日新月会移至你对面的天秤宫。
15 rì xīn yuè huì yí zhì nǐ duìmiàn de tiān chèng gōng。
The New Moon takes place in your opposite sign of Libra on the 15th.
2
当谷物在田间茎秤上正在成熟时就蕴藏着一定的危险.
dāng gǔwù zài tiánjiān jīng chèng shàng zhèngzài chéngshú shí jiù yùncáng zhe yídìng de wēixiǎn.
A certain risk is involved when cereal grains are maturing in the field on the stalk.
3
假如他站在用牛顿刻度的秤上, 试问秤的读数是多少?
jiǎrú tā zhàn zài yòng niú dùn kè dù de chèng shàng, shì wèn chèng de dú shù shì duōshao?
If he stands on a balance scale calibrated in newtons , what will the scale read?
4
秤的刻度盘上所标单位是质量的单位, 而不是力的单位.
chèng de kè dù pán shàng suǒ biāo dānwèi shì zhìliàng de dānwèi, ér bùshì lì de dānwèi.
The units painted on the dial of a scale are often mass units, not force units.
5
实验室的天平与商店里的秤在什么方面有所不同?
shíyànshì de tiānpíng yǔ shāngdiàn lǐ de chèng zài shénme fāngmiàn yǒusuǒbùtóng?
In what way is a laboratory balance different from a balance found in a store?
6
验秤过的商品基本合格,你放心好了.
yàn chèng guò de shāngpǐn jīběn hégé, nǐ fàngxīn hǎo le.
Don't worry, products that have been checked are basically up to standard.
