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宫廷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
宫廷gōngtíngcourt (of king or emperor)HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #16009, Very Hard
gōngtíng(gong1ting2)gong ting T1
  1. 1court (of king or emperor)
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March 24, 2026

宫廷(宮廷)gōngtíng(gong1ting2)

宫廷 (gōngtíng) refers to the royal court, specifically the residence and administrative center of a king or emperor in traditional Chinese society. It encompasses not just the physical space but also the political and social activities that occur within that space, including ceremonies, governance, and daily life of the royalty and their entourage.

Strokes15Frequency#16009DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of 宫廷 is deeply embedded in Chinese history, particularly during dynastic rule when the emperor had absolute power. It reflects the hierarchical nature of ancient Chinese society and the ceremonial practices that were integral to governance.

Memory tip

Imagine a grand palace (宫) where the emperor (廷) holds court. Visualize the emperor sitting on his throne, surrounded by courtiers dressed in elaborate robes, discussing matters of state. The character '宫' looks like a house with a roof, symbolizing the royal residence, while '廷' resembles a large open area where nobility gather.

Meanings of 宫廷

gōngtíng(gong1ting2)
1court (of king or emperor)
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About 宫廷

宫廷Simplified
宮廷Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 宫廷

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AI study notes for 宫廷

Quick Contrast

宫殿 (gōngdiàn) refers specifically to the palace building, while 宫廷 (gōngtíng) encompasses the broader court and its activities.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 宫廷 with other terms for court, such as 法庭 (fǎtíng), which refers to a legal court. 宫廷 is more formal and historical, so it’s best used in literary or academic contexts. Be aware of the tone; mispronouncing it may lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

This word is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary but is relevant for advanced learners interested in Chinese history and culture. Students should focus on understanding its use in historical texts and literature, connecting it with other HSK terms related to governance and society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 宫廷 with 宫殿 (gōngdiàn), which means palace, leading to phrases like '我去宫廷' (wǒ qù gōngtíng) instead of '我去宫殿' (wǒ qù gōngdiàn) when referring to visiting a palace. Remember, 宫廷 refers to the court, not just the building.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 宫廷

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Component characters

宫gōngpalace
HSK 69 strokes宀
View full entry
廷tíngcourtyard
6 strokes廴
View full entry

How to say court (of king or emperor) in Chinese

“court (of king or emperor)” in Chinese is宫廷gōngtíng

宫廷 (gōngtíng) refers to the royal court, specifically the residence and administrative center of a king or emperor in traditional Chinese society. It encompasses not just the physical space but also the political and social activities that occur within that space, including ceremonies, governance, and daily life of the royalty and their entourage.

When to use 宫廷

Common mistakes include confusing 宫廷 with other terms for court, such as 法庭 (fǎtíng), which refers to a legal court. 宫廷 is more formal and historical, so it’s best used in literary or academic contexts. Be aware of the tone; mispronouncing it may lead to misunderstandings.

宫廷 or something close to it

宫殿 (gōngdiàn) refers specifically to the palace building, while 宫廷 (gōngtíng) encompasses the broader court and its activities.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 宫廷 with 宫殿 (gōngdiàn), which means palace, leading to phrases like '我去宫廷' (wǒ qù gōngtíng) instead of '我去宫殿' (wǒ qù gōngdiàn) when referring to visiting a palace. Remember, 宫廷 refers to the court, not just the building.

Write 宫廷

宫
廷

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Frequently asked questions about 宫廷

宫廷 refers specifically to the royal court and its physical residence, while 朝廷 refers to the government or ruling body that operates under the emperor.

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