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娘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
娘
niáng
mother
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 女, rank #1481, Very Hard
娘
niáng
young lady
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 女, rank #1481, Very Hard
娘
niáng
mother; young girl; woman; wife
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 女, rank #1481, Very Hard
娘
niáng
(coll.) effeminate
HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 女, rank #1481, Very Hard
niáng(niang2)niang T2
1mother
2young lady
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March 24, 2026
娘niáng(niang2)
The character 娘 (niáng) primarily means 'mother' or 'young lady.' It is often used in informal contexts to refer to a mother figure or a woman, and can also imply tenderness or affection. In some dialects, it may also convey a sense of youth or femininity.
Strokes10Radical女Frequency#1481DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, the role of a '娘' is highly respected, often symbolizing nurturing and familial bonds. The term is also commonly used in folk songs and stories, highlighting the importance of mothers in Chinese society.
Memory tip
Visualize a young lady holding a baby while wearing a traditional dress. The character 娘 combines the radical 女 (nǚ), meaning 'female,' with the phonetic component 夭 (yāo), which can evoke the image of youth and softness. Imagine this young lady nurturing her child, which connects to the meaning of mother.
Meanings of 娘
niáng(niang2)
1mother
2young lady
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 娘
娘Simplified
10Strokes
女Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1481Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 娘
Podcast: 娘
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AI study notes for 娘
Quick Contrast
母亲 (mǔqīn) vs 娘 (niáng): Use 母亲 for a formal reference to 'mother' in standard contexts, while 娘 is more informal and affectionate.
Usage Notes
While 娘 is commonly used in informal settings, using it in formal speech may sound overly casual. It often appears in phrases like '娘亲' (niáng qīn) to express endearment. Be cautious with tone; the third tone can sound harsh if improperly pronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Although 娘 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK Level 2 words like 妈妈 (māmā, mother) and 女孩 (nǚhái, girl). Focus on the tones and context of usage, as they will help when encountering similar terms in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 娘 with 妈妈, thinking they have the same level of formality. For example, saying '娘' in a professional setting might be inappropriate; use 妈妈 instead. Additionally, confusing the tone can lead to misunderstandings; ensure you pronounce it as niáng, not niāng.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 娘
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Example
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Knowing 娘 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.
娘 = 女 + 良. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 娘
IDS Structure⿰女良
娘Full character
=
女nü3
left
良liang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 娘?
How to say mother in Chinese
“mother” in Chinese is娘niáng
The character 娘 (niáng) primarily means 'mother' or 'young lady.' It is often used in informal contexts to refer to a mother figure or a woman, and can also imply tenderness or affection. In some dialects, it may also convey a sense of youth or femininity.
When to use 娘
While 娘 is commonly used in informal settings, using it in formal speech may sound overly casual. It often appears in phrases like '娘亲' (niáng qīn) to express endearment. Be cautious with tone; the third tone can sound harsh if improperly pronounced.
娘 or something close to it
母亲 (mǔqīn) vs 娘 (niáng): Use 母亲 for a formal reference to 'mother' in standard contexts, while 娘 is more informal and affectionate.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 娘 with 妈妈, thinking they have the same level of formality. For example, saying '娘' in a professional setting might be inappropriate; use 妈妈 instead. Additionally, confusing the tone can lead to misunderstandings; ensure you pronounce it as niáng, not niāng.
Write 娘
娘
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Practice writing 娘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 娘
娘 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.
Do you realize, woman, the scandal and publicity that will be involved?
7
她还是个小姑娘的时候就分担起照顾弟弟的责任。
tā háishi gè xiǎo gūniang de shíhou jiù fēndān qǐ zhàogù dìdi de zérèn。
She had shared responsibility for her brother since girlhood.
8
这家位于伊斯灵顿区的商店里汇聚了各种漂亮的新娘服装。
zhè jiā wèiyú yī Sī líng dùn Ōu de shāngdiàn lǐ huìjù le gèzhǒng piàoliang de xīnniáng fúzhuāng。
This Islington shop is a treasure trove of beautiful bridalwear.
9
他爱说笑话，喜欢谈论啤酒和姑娘。
tā ài shuō xiàohua， xǐhuan tánlùn píjiǔ hé gūniang。
He cracked jokes and talked about beer and girls.
10
谁都会以为你和那个姑娘恋爱了。
shéi dūhuì yǐwéi nǐ hé nàge gūniang liàn’ài le。
Anyone would think you were in love with the girl.
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Word Family of 娘
Words containing this character20
姑娘gūnianggirl
娘niángmother
新娘xīnniángbride
老娘lǎoniángmy old mother
伴娘bànniángbridesmaid
娘娘niángniangqueen
娘娘腔niángniangqiāngsissy
娘家niángjiāmarried woman's parents' home
老板娘lǎobǎnniánglady boss老闆娘
娘子niángzǐpolite form of address for a woman
婆娘póniangwoman (derog.)
灰姑娘huīgūniangCinderella
大娘dàniángaunt (polite address)
爹娘diēniáng(dialect) parents
丈母娘zhàngmǔniángwife's mother
红娘hóngniángmatchmaker紅娘
老大娘lǎodàniángold lady
娘胎niángtāiwomb
奶娘nǎiniáng(dialect) wet nurse
娘儿们niángrmenwife娘兒們
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 娘
What does 姑娘 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 娘
Both 娘 (niáng) and 母亲 (mǔqīn) mean 'mother,' but 娘 is often more informal and can carry a sense of affection or intimacy. 母亲 is more formal and is typically used in official or respectful contexts. Understanding the context of your conversation will help you choose the appropriate term.
Yes, 娘 (niáng) is still used in modern Chinese but is more common in certain dialects and regions. It can also be found in traditional contexts, such as literature or historical references. Knowing when and where to use it can enhance your understanding of cultural nuances.
娘 (niáng) primarily means 'mother' in Chinese. It can also refer to a 'young lady' and is sometimes used colloquially to describe someone who is effeminate. Additionally, 娘 is a variant form of the same character.
You can use 娘 (niáng) in sentences such as '我想我的娘' (Wǒ xiǎng wǒ de niáng), meaning 'I miss my mother.' It can also be used as a term of endearment for a young lady, depending on the context. Be mindful of the context when using it to ensure clarity.
No, 娘 is more informal and affectionate; for formal contexts, 妈妈 (māmā) is preferred.
Yes, it can refer to a young lady or woman, depending on the context.
The correct pronunciation is in the second tone, niáng, which can be confused with the first tone if not practiced.
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