HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
衡
héng
weight
HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
衡
héng
measure
HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
衡
héng
to measure, to weigh; to consider, to judge
HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
héng(heng2) T2
1to weigh
2weight
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March 24, 2026
衡héng(heng2)
The character 衡 (héng) primarily means 'to weigh' or 'to measure.' It is often used in contexts related to weighing physical objects or figuratively judging or considering different factors. It conveys a sense of balance and assessment.
Strokes16Radical行Frequency#45627DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of weighing not only applies to physical scales but also to moral and ethical considerations, reflecting the importance of balance in life decisions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant scale (衡) where you weigh your options. The horizontal line in the character represents the balance beam, and the two sides represent the items being weighed. This visual can help you remember its meaning of weighing and measuring.
Meanings of 衡
héng(heng2)
1to weigh
2weight
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 衡
衡Simplified
16Strokes
行Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#45627Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 衡
Podcast: 衡
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 衡
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 衡 with other similar characters for weight, such as 重 (zhòng), which means 'heavy.' It's important to use 衡 in contexts where weighing or assessing is implied, rather than just physical weight. The character is typically used in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 衡 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to Level 3 words like 重 (heavy) and 量 (measure). Focus on recognizing its usage in contexts related to assessment and measurement, which can help expand your vocabulary in practical situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 衡 in casual conversation when a simpler term like 量 would suffice, e.g., saying '我衡这个苹果' instead of '我量这个苹果' (I measure this apple). Always consider the context of weighing versus measuring.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 衡
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Drill the tone of 衡 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
1The giveawayA big 大 horn 角; 行 provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 衡? 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 衡?
Decomposition of 衡
IDS Structure⿻行⿱角大
衡Full Character
=
行hang2
outer
角jiao3
top
大da4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 衡?
How to say to weigh in Chinese
“to weigh” in Chinese is衡héng
The character 衡 (héng) primarily means 'to weigh' or 'to measure.' It is often used in contexts related to weighing physical objects or figuratively judging or considering different factors. It conveys a sense of balance and assessment.
When to use 衡
Learners often confuse 衡 with other similar characters for weight, such as 重 (zhòng), which means 'heavy.' It's important to use 衡 in contexts where weighing or assessing is implied, rather than just physical weight. The character is typically used in both formal and informal settings.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 衡 in casual conversation when a simpler term like 量 would suffice, e.g., saying '我衡这个苹果' instead of '我量这个苹果' (I measure this apple). Always consider the context of weighing versus measuring.
Write 衡
衡
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Practice writing 衡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 衡
衡 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 4 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
关键是你的饮食要多样化，并保持均____。
It is essential that your diet is varied and balanced.
Common Confusions with 衡
衡vs亘
gèn
Similar sound and radical but different meaning.
衡vs横
héng
Similar shape but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to weigh"?
or
Example Sentences for 衡 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
关键是你的饮食要多样化，并保持均衡。
guān jiàn shì nǐ de yǐn shí yào duō yàng huà， ， bìng bǎo chí jūn。
It is essential that your diet is varied and balanced.
2
他仍然是维系该国脆弱的政治平衡的支柱。
tā réng rán shì wéi xì gāi guó cuì ruò de zhèng zhì píng héng de zhī zhù。
He remains the anchor of the country's fragile political balance.
