Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
統 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
統tǒngto govern, to command; to gather, to unitezg, 12 strokes, radical 糹
tǒng(tong3) T3
  1. 1to govern, to command; to gather, to unite
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

統tǒng(tong3)

The character 統 (tǒng) primarily means 'to govern' or 'to command', and it also conveys the idea of gathering or uniting various elements into a whole. It is commonly used in contexts related to leadership, administration, and organizational structures, as well as in phrases that emphasize unity or integration.

Strokes12Radical糹
Cultural Note

The concept of unification is significant in Chinese history, particularly in reference to the unification of various states during the Qin dynasty, which laid the foundation for a centralized Chinese government. This historical context adds depth to the meaning of 統.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'tornado' (sounds like tǒng) that gathers everything in its path into a single powerful force. The character itself combines the radical for 'thread' (糸) with 'together' (統), symbolizing the idea of uniting various threads into a cohesive tapestry.

Meanings of 統

tǒng(tong3)
1to govern, to command; to gather, to unite
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 統 means.

About 統

統Simplified
12Strokes
糹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 統

JasonAmy

Podcast: 統

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 統

Quick Contrast

統 (tǒng) vs 合 (hé) — choose 統 when emphasizing governance or command, while 合 focuses more on the idea of joining or combining.

Usage Notes

統 is often used in formal contexts, such as politics or management, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Be careful with the tone; the third tone (tǒng) can be easily confused with the second tone (tóng), which means 'same'. Common collocations include 統治 (to rule) and 統一 (to unify).

HSK Study Tips

While 統 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other words at higher levels that relate to governance and organization, such as 管理 (guǎn lǐ - to manage) and 组织 (zǔ zhī - to organize). Focus on recognizing the character in compound words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 統 with the similar-sounding words 終 (zhōng - to end) or 同 (tóng - same). For example, saying 終一 instead of 統一 is incorrect; the correct phrase for 'to unify' is 統一.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 統

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 統 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 統 to You

Let me explain 統 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 統 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 統?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 統 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 統

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

Simplified form of 統. Phonosemantic compound. 糹 represents the meaning and 充 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

thread

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

Origin

統 = 糹 + 充. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 統

IDS Structure⿰糹充
統Full Character
=
糹si1
left
充chong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 統?

How to say to govern, to command; to gather, to unite in Chinese

“to govern, to command; to gather, to unite” in Chinese is統tǒng

The character 統 (tǒng) primarily means 'to govern' or 'to command', and it also conveys the idea of gathering or uniting various elements into a whole. It is commonly used in contexts related to leadership, administration, and organizational structures, as well as in phrases that emphasize unity or integration.

When to use 統

統 is often used in formal contexts, such as politics or management, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Be careful with the tone; the third tone (tǒng) can be easily confused with the second tone (tóng), which means 'same'. Common collocations include 統治 (to rule) and 統一 (to unify).

統 or something close to it

統 (tǒng) vs 合 (hé) — choose 統 when emphasizing governance or command, while 合 focuses more on the idea of joining or combining.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 統 with the similar-sounding words 終 (zhōng - to end) or 同 (tóng - same). For example, saying 終一 instead of 統一 is incorrect; the correct phrase for 'to unify' is 統一.

Write 統

統

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 統?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 統

Words Containing This Character20
系统xìtǒngsystem系統
总统zǒngtǒngpresident (of a country)總統
传统chuántǒngtradition傳統
统一tǒngyīto unify統一
统计tǒngjìstatistics統計
统治tǒngzhìrule統治
血统lineage血統
统统tǒngtǒngtotally統統
统tǒngto gather統
统筹tǒngchóuan overall plan統籌
操作系统operating system操作系統
统计学statistics統計學
统治者ruler統治者
统领to lead統領
信息系统information system信息系統
统帅command統帥
神经系统nervous system神經系統
统一战线united front統一戰線
总统府presidential palace總統府
统战consolidation統戰
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 統

What does 系统 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 統

The correct pronunciation is tǒng, with a falling-rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 統?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab