HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Very Hard
葱
cōng
scallion
HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Very Hard
葱
cōng
green onion
HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Very Hard
cōng(cong1)cong T1
1scallions, leeks, green onions
2scallion
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
葱(蔥)cōng(cong1)
葱 (cōng) refers to scallions, leeks, or green onions, which are commonly used in Chinese cuisine for their strong flavor and aromatic qualities. They are often used as a garnish or ingredient in various dishes to enhance taste, and can be found in both raw and cooked forms.
Strokes12Radical艹Frequency#12501DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
葱 is a staple ingredient in many traditional Chinese dishes, symbolizing freshness and vibrancy in meals. In Chinese culture, it is often featured in festive dishes, representing good fortune and flavor.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long green onion standing tall in a field, waving like a flag (the character 葱 has a 'flag-like' top part). The 'c' sound in 'cōng' can remind you of 'scallion' since they both start with a similar sound. Picture a chef shouting 'C'mon, let's use some scallions!' to make a dish more delicious.
Meanings of 葱
cōng(cong1)
1scallions, leeks, green onions
2scallion
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 葱 means.
About 葱
葱Simplified
蔥Traditional
12Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 葱
Podcast: 葱
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AI Study Notes for 葱
Quick Contrast
葱 (cōng) vs 洋葱 (yángcōng) — use 葱 for scallions or green onions, while 洋葱 refers specifically to onions.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 葱 with other similar vegetables like 洋葱 (yángcōng), which means onion. In informal contexts, you might hear it used in everyday cooking discussions, while in formal settings, it may appear in culinary literature. Ensure you use the correct tone as 'cōng' is pronounced with a high level tone, which is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
Although 葱 is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it is a useful word for learners at any level, especially those interested in Chinese cooking. Students should focus on its pronunciation and common phrases associated with cooking and ingredients.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 葱 with other types of onions, leading to sentences like '我喜欢吃洋葱' (I like to eat scallions), which is incorrect. The correct term for scallions is '葱', so it should be '我喜欢吃葱'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 葱
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How Well Do You Know 葱?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 葱 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.
葱 = 艹 + 怱. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 葱
IDS Structure⿱艹怱
葱Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
怱cong1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 葱?
How to say scallions, leeks, green onions in Chinese
“scallions, leeks, green onions” in Chinese is葱cōng
葱 (cōng) refers to scallions, leeks, or green onions, which are commonly used in Chinese cuisine for their strong flavor and aromatic qualities. They are often used as a garnish or ingredient in various dishes to enhance taste, and can be found in both raw and cooked forms.
When to use 葱
Be cautious not to confuse 葱 with other similar vegetables like 洋葱 (yángcōng), which means onion. In informal contexts, you might hear it used in everyday cooking discussions, while in formal settings, it may appear in culinary literature. Ensure you use the correct tone as 'cōng' is pronounced with a high level tone, which is crucial for clarity.
葱 or something close to it
葱 (cōng) vs 洋葱 (yángcōng) — use 葱 for scallions or green onions, while 洋葱 refers specifically to onions.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 葱 with other types of onions, leading to sentences like '我喜欢吃洋葱' (I like to eat scallions), which is incorrect. The correct term for scallions is '葱', so it should be '我喜欢吃葱'.
Write 葱
葱
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Practice writing 葱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 葱
葱 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 3 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
