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葱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
葱cōngscallions, leeks, green onionsHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Hard
葱cōngscallionHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Hard
葱cōnggreen onionHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 艹, rank #12501, Hard
cōng(cong1) T1
  1. 1scallions, leeks, green onions
  2. 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#12501DifficultyHard
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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 葱

葱Simplified
蔥Traditional
12Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 葱

JasonAmy

Podcast: 葱

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

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.

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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.

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.

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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Etymology of 葱

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

grass

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)怱
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 葱?

Decomposition of 葱

IDS Structure⿱艹怱
葱Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
怱cong1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 葱?

Write 葱

葱

Practice writing 葱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

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

Complete the Sentence

油热了后，放入切好的洋____。

When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion.

Example Sentences for 葱 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
油热了后，放入切好的洋葱。

yóu rè le hòu， ， fàng rù qiē hǎo de yáng。

When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion.
2
上菜时，把炒好的韭葱覆在鱼上。

shàng cài shí， ， bǎ chǎo hǎo de jiǔ cōng fù zài yú。

To serve, top the fish with the cooked leeks.
3
这个温室位置绝佳，放眼望去，草木繁茂，郁郁葱葱。

zhè gè wēn shì wèi zhì jué jiā， ， fàng yǎn wàng， qù ， cǎo mù， fán mào ， yù。

This conservatory enjoys an enviable position overlooking a leafy expanse.
4
小块腌洋葱可用来替代切片洋葱。

xiǎo kuài ā yáng cōng kě yòng lái tì dài qiē piàn yáng cōng。

Small pickling onions can be used instead of sliced ones.
5
先将一些洋葱外面炒上焦糖。

xiān jiāng yī xiē yáng cōng wài miàn chǎo shàng jiāo táng。

Start by caramelizing some onions.
6
洋葱在这个冷湿季节中鳞茎长得很不好.

yáng cōng zài zhè gè lěng shī jì jié zhōng lín jīng cháng dé hěn bù hǎo.

The onions bulbed poorly in this cold wet season.
7
剥掉洋葱皮并把它纵向切成两半。

bāo diào yáng cōng pí bìng bǎ tā zòng xiàng qiē chéng liǎng bàn。

Peel the onion and cut it in half lengthwise.
8
我总是喜欢种一些红洋葱。

wǒ zǒng shì xǐ huān zhǒng yī xiē hóng yáng cōng。

I always grow a few red onions.
9
把洋葱片铺在盘底。

bǎ yáng cōng piàn pū zài pán dǐ。

Spread the onion slices on the bottom of the dish.
10
章丘大葱有高 、 长 、 脆 、 甜的突出特点.

zhāng qiū dà cōng yǒu gāo、 、、 cháng、 、 cuì 、 tián de tū.

The Zhangqiu green onion has high, long, crisp, the sweet prominent characteristic.

Cultural Notes for 葱

🏮Cultural insight

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.

Word Family of 葱

Words Containing This Character17
洋葱bulb onion洋蔥
葱cōngscallion蔥
大葱leek大蔥
葱花chopped onion蔥花
青葱scallion青蔥
郁郁葱葱verdant and lush (idiom)鬱鬱蔥蔥
小葱shallot小蔥
葱郁verdant蔥鬱
葱茏verdant and lush蔥蘢
葱头onion蔥頭
葱绿verdant蔥綠
葱葱verdant and thick (foliage, grass etc)蔥蔥
葱岭old name for the Pamir high plateau 帕米爾高原|帕米尔高原[Pà​mǐ​'ěr​Gāo​yuán] on the border between Xinjiang and Tajikistan蔥嶺
葱翠fresh green蔥翠
倒栽葱to fall headlong倒栽蔥
葱黄yellow green蔥黃
细香葱chive細香蔥
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 洋葱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 葱

葱 refers specifically to scallions or green onions, while 洋葱 refers to regular onions, which have a stronger flavor and are typically round.