unknown, 9 strokes, radical 水, rank #11148, Very Hard
bèng(beng4) T4
1to pump
2pump (loanword)
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March 24, 2026
泵bèng(beng4)
The character 泵 (bèng) refers to the action of pumping, typically relating to moving liquids or gases using a mechanical device. It is often used in contexts such as plumbing, engineering, and automotive industries. In modern usage, it can also refer to the concept of a 'pump' as a loanword, especially in technical fields.
Strokes9Radical水Frequency#11148DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese infrastructure, pumps play a crucial role in irrigation and urban water supply systems, reflecting the importance of technology in daily life. The character is often seen in discussions about modern engineering advancements.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big pump (泵) with water spraying out of it, resembling the character's water radical (氵) on the left. The sound 'bèng' can remind you of the action of 'bang,' as if the water is bursting out with a bang!
Meanings of 泵
bèng(beng4)
1to pump
2pump (loanword)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 泵
泵Simplified
9Strokes
水Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 泵
Podcast: 泵
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AI Study Notes for 泵
Usage Notes
This term is mostly used in technical or formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use 泵 specifically for mechanical pumping. Familiarize yourself with collocations like '水泵' (water pump) and '油泵' (oil pump).
HSK Study Tips
While 泵 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for those studying technical Chinese or working in engineering fields. Focus on related vocabulary like 水 (water) and 油 (oil) to enhance your understanding of its usage in different contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 泵 with similar characters like 流 (liú), which means 'to flow.' For example, saying '我需要流水' instead of '我需要泵水' (I need to pump water) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 泵
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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 泵? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 泵?
Decomposition of 泵
IDS Structure⿱石水
泵Full Character
=
石dan4
top
水Shui3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 泵?
How to say to pump in Chinese
“to pump” in Chinese is泵bèng
The character 泵 (bèng) refers to the action of pumping, typically relating to moving liquids or gases using a mechanical device. It is often used in contexts such as plumbing, engineering, and automotive industries. In modern usage, it can also refer to the concept of a 'pump' as a loanword, especially in technical fields.
When to use 泵
This term is mostly used in technical or formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use 泵 specifically for mechanical pumping. Familiarize yourself with collocations like '水泵' (water pump) and '油泵' (oil pump).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 泵 with similar characters like 流 (liú), which means 'to flow.' For example, saying '我需要流水' instead of '我需要泵水' (I need to pump water) is incorrect.
Write 泵
泵
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Practice writing 泵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 泵
泵 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.