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March 24, 2026
攻gōng(gong1)
The character 攻 (gōng) primarily means 'to attack' or 'to assault.' It can also imply a critical approach, such as 'to accuse' or 'to criticize.' This word is commonly used in both military contexts and in discussions about strategies or efforts in various fields, including studies and examinations.
Strokes7Radical攵Frequency#5669DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 攻 can be related to military strategies found in ancient texts like 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu, which emphasizes the importance of both offense and defense in achieving victory.
Memory Tip
Imagine a warrior (the radical 攵 indicating action) launching an attack (攻) with a loud 'gōng' sound, like the sound of a gong announcing the start of battle. Visualize the warrior preparing to strike while also studying the enemy's weaknesses, connecting the idea of attack and critical analysis.
Meanings of 攻
gōng(gong1)
1to attack
2to accuse
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 攻
攻Simplified
7Strokes
攵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5669Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 攻
Podcast: 攻
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AI Study Notes for 攻
Quick Contrast
攻击 (gōngjī) - use 攻 (gōng) for a more general or strategic notion of attack, while 攻击 (gōngjī) is more specific to physical or direct assaults.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a warrior (the radical 攵 indicating action) launching an attack (攻) with a loud 'gōng' sound, like the sound of a gong announcing the start of battle. Visualize the warrior preparing to strike while also studying the enemy's weaknesses, connecting the idea of attack and critical analysis.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 攻 with 防 (fáng), which means 'to defend.' The tone is important; use the correct pronunciation (gōng) to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include 攻击 (gōngjī - to attack) and 攻读 (gōngdú - to study diligently).
HSK Study Tips
Although 攻 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to action and conflict, such as 打 (dǎ - to hit) and 防 (fáng - to defend). Focus on understanding its nuances in various contexts to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 攻 can be related to military strategies found in ancient texts like 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu, which emphasizes the importance of both offense and defense in achieving victory.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 攻 with words like 学习 (xuéxí - to study) since both involve effort. A common mistake would be saying '我攻这个课' instead of '我学习这个课' (I study this course). Remember that 攻 implies a more aggressive approach.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 攻
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Grammar Patterns of 攻
攻 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 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3
This pattern emphasizes the action described by the verb, often providing context or reason.
❝
他是攻击的敌人。
tā shì gōngjī de dírén.
He is the enemy who was attacked.
Exercise 1 of 1
Build the Sentence
He is the enemy who was attacked.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Common Confusions with 攻
攻vs公
gōng
公 and 攻 share the same pinyin, but 公 means public, while 攻 means to attack.
攻vs工
gōng
Both characters are pronounced the same but have different meanings and shapes.
攻 means to attack while 防 means to defend.
1
我们要攻而不防。
攻 means to attack while 防 means to defend.
💡攻 (attack) has a 'g' for 'go get them', while 防 (defend) has a 'f' for 'fallback'.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to attack"?
or
Usage Notes for 攻
Misuse of 攻 in contextsCommon Error
Learners often confuse 攻 with related terms like 进攻 (to launch an attack) or 指责 (to accuse). It's important to know the context.
1
他在比赛中攻得很漂亮。
He attacked beautifully in the competition.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
他在比赛中____得很漂亮。
He attacked beautifully in the competition.
Example Sentences for 攻 (10)
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1
警察以携带攻击性武器为由逮捕了我。
jǐng chá yǐ xié dài gōng jī xìng wǔ qì wéi yóu dài bǔ le wǒ。
The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
2
比赛形势决定了他们要打防守战而不是进攻战。
bǐ sài xíng shì jué dìng le tā mén yào dǎ fáng shǒu zhàn ér bù shì jìn gōng zhàn。
Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
3
军队现在似乎已经发起了反攻。
jūn duì xiàn zài sì hū yǐ jīng fā qǐ le fǎn gōng。
The army now appears to have launched a counter-offensive.
The enemy must be digging themselves in now ready for the attack.
10
西班牙媒体昨天仍然在攻击英国媒体。
xī bān yá méi tǐ zuó tiān réng rán zài gōng jī yīng guó méi tǐ。
The Spanish media were still sniping at the British press yesterday.
Cultural Notes for 攻
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 攻 can be related to military strategies found in ancient texts like 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu, which emphasizes the importance of both offense and defense in achieving victory.
Word Family of 攻
Words Containing This Character20
攻击gōngjīto attack攻擊
进攻jìngōngto attack進攻
攻gōngto attack
攻势(military) offensive攻勢
围攻to besiege圍攻
攻关gōngguānto storm a strategic pass攻關
攻打to attack (the enemy)
攻克gōngkèto capture
攻略strategy
主攻main assault
攻破to break through
反攻to counterattack
攻占(fig.) to take by storm
强攻dominant強攻
攻读gōngdúto major (in a field)攻讀
攻防attack and defense
快攻fast break
猛攻to storm
专攻to major in專攻
攻陷to overcome
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 攻击 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 攻
Yes, 攻 (gōng) can be used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing topics related to strategy, study, or competition. However, it is more commonly found in formal contexts or written language rather than casual conversation.
Common phrases that include 攻 (gōng) are '攻势' (gōngshì), meaning 'offensive' or 'attack strategy,' and '攻读' (gōngdú), which means 'to study diligently.' These phrases can help you understand the versatility of the character in different contexts.
攻 (gōng) can mean 'to attack,' 'to accuse,' or 'to study' in different contexts. It is often used in phrases related to military action or strategy, but it can also refer to the act of studying a subject in depth. Understanding its various meanings is essential for mastering advanced Chinese vocabulary.
You can use 攻 (gōng) in a sentence like '他们计划攻占这个城市' (Tāmen jìhuà gōngzhàn zhège chéngshì), which means 'They plan to attack this city.' It's important to consider the context in which you use the word, as it can relate to physical attacks or metaphorical studies.
攻 can mean to attack, accuse, or criticize, depending on the context. It is often used in discussions about military actions or critical evaluations.
Associate the sound 'gōng' with the action of a gong signaling an attack, helping reinforce both the sound and meaning.
