Meanings of 经
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About 经
Podcast: 经
Podcast: 经
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AI Study Notes for 经
经典 (jiāng diǎn) vs 经文 (jīng wén): use 经 when referring to the act of experiencing or undergoing something, while 经典 specifically refers to classic works or texts.
经 (jīng) is often misused when learners confuse it with related characters that also imply passing or experiencing. It’s typically more formal when used in literature or academic contexts. Be careful with tones; the first tone (jīng) is crucial for correct meaning.
While 经 is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to many words learners will encounter, such as 经验 (jīng yàn, experience) and 经典 (jīng diǎn, classics). Focusing on how it combines with other characters will deepen your understanding.
Learners often confuse 经 (jīng) with its homophones like 精 (jīng), which means 'essence.' For example, saying 精历 (jīng lì) instead of 经历 (jīng lì) changes the meaning entirely from 'experience' to 'essence of time,' which is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 经
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Etymology of 经
Simplified form of 經. Pictograph of a loom for weaving. In a loom threads have to pass through each other.
thread
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 经
Simplified form of 經. Pictograph of a loom for weaving. In a loom threads have to pass through each other.
- 1The meaning half纟 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half工 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaythread
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 经? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 经?
Decomposition of 经
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 经?
How to say classics in Chinese
“classics” in Chinese is经
The character 经 (jīng) has several meanings, but it primarily refers to 'classics' or 'scripture' in a cultural context, highlighting texts that are foundational in Chinese literature and philosophy. It can also mean 'to pass through' or 'to undergo,' indicating experience or endurance in various situations.
When to use 经
经 (jīng) is often misused when learners confuse it with related characters that also imply passing or experiencing. It’s typically more formal when used in literature or academic contexts. Be careful with tones; the first tone (jīng) is crucial for correct meaning.
经 or something close to it
经典 (jiāng diǎn) vs 经文 (jīng wén): use 经 when referring to the act of experiencing or undergoing something, while 经典 specifically refers to classic works or texts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 经 (jīng) with its homophones like 精 (jīng), which means 'essence.' For example, saying 精历 (jīng lì) instead of 经历 (jīng lì) changes the meaning entirely from 'experience' to 'essence of time,' which is incorrect.
Write 经
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Practice writing 经 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 经
经 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 15 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.
Complete the Sentence
我____常去公园跑步。
I often go jogging in the park.
Example Sentences for 经 (10)
Word Family of 经
Compound Meaning
What does 已经 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 经
Common phrases include 经过 (jīng guò, to pass through) and 经验 (jīng yàn, experience).
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