HSK 7, vg, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #19771, Very Hard
耸
sǒng
to raise up
HSK 7, vg, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #19771, Very Hard
耸
sǒng
to shrug
HSK 7, vg, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #19771, Very Hard
耸
sǒng
high
HSK 7, vg, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #19771, Very Hard
耸
sǒng
lofty
HSK 7, vg, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #19771, Very Hard
耸
sǒng
towering
HSK 7, vg, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #19771, Very Hard
耸
sǒng
to excite, to urge; to raise; to shrug; lofty, towering
HSK 7, vg, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #19771, Very Hard
sǒng(song3)song T3
1to excite
2to raise up
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
耸(聳)sǒng(song3)
The character 耸 (sǒng) primarily means 'to raise up' or 'to tower,' often used to describe something that is high or lofty, such as mountains or buildings. It can also convey a sense of excitement or urging, typically in contexts where someone's emotions are elevated or stimulated. Its nuanced meanings make it versatile in both descriptive and emotional contexts.
Strokes10Radical耳Frequency#19771DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, towering mountains are often seen as symbols of strength and resilience, reflecting the reverence for nature's grandeur. The concept of elevation also ties into traditional beliefs about aspirations and achievements, making 耸 significant in motivational contexts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall mountain (the shape of 耸 resembles a peak) that reaches high into the sky, exciting climbers who aspire to reach its summit. The '耳' (ear) radical suggests listening to the excitement of the climbers as they share stories of their ascent, reinforcing the idea of elevation and thrill.
Meanings of 耸
sǒng(song3)
1to excite
2to raise up
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 耸 means.
About 耸
耸Simplified
聳Traditional
10Strokes
耳Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#19771Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 耸
Podcast: 耸
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AI Study Notes for 耸
Quick Contrast
耸 (sǒng) vs 高 (gāo) — use 耸 for a sense of raising up or towering, while 高 simply means high in a static sense.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 耸 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 笋 (sǔn, bamboo shoot). It is typically used in more formal contexts when describing physical height or emotional states, so be mindful of the register. Watch out for tone errors; the third tone (sǒng) is crucial for correct pronunciation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 耸 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and physical descriptions. Students should focus on contextual usage and synonyms, such as 提高 (tígāo, to raise), to deepen their understanding and expression of nuanced ideas.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 耸 with 送 (sòng, to deliver), leading to incorrect phrases like '耸礼物' (sǒng lǐwù) instead of '送礼物' (sòng lǐwù, to deliver gifts). Pay attention to context to ensure proper use.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耸
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How Well Do You Know 耸?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 耸 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.
耸 = 耳 + 从. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 耸
IDS Structure⿱从耳
耸Full Character
=
从Cong2
top
耳er3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 耸?
How to say to excite in Chinese
“to excite” in Chinese is耸sǒng
The character 耸 (sǒng) primarily means 'to raise up' or 'to tower,' often used to describe something that is high or lofty, such as mountains or buildings. It can also convey a sense of excitement or urging, typically in contexts where someone's emotions are elevated or stimulated. Its nuanced meanings make it versatile in both descriptive and emotional contexts.
When to use 耸
Common mistakes include confusing 耸 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 笋 (sǔn, bamboo shoot). It is typically used in more formal contexts when describing physical height or emotional states, so be mindful of the register. Watch out for tone errors; the third tone (sǒng) is crucial for correct pronunciation.
耸 or something close to it
耸 (sǒng) vs 高 (gāo) — use 耸 for a sense of raising up or towering, while 高 simply means high in a static sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 耸 with 送 (sòng, to deliver), leading to incorrect phrases like '耸礼物' (sǒng lǐwù) instead of '送礼物' (sòng lǐwù, to deliver gifts). Pay attention to context to ensure proper use.
Write 耸
耸
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Practice writing 耸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 耸
耸 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
我问道：“要不我等会儿吧？”梅拉妮____耸肩说：“随你便。”
"Do you mind if I wait?" I asked. Melanie shrugged: "Please yourself."
