HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #4680, Hard
Gǎng(Gang3) T3
1Hong Kong, abbr. for 香港[Xiāng gǎng]
2harbor
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March 24, 2026
港Gǎng(Gang3)
The character 港 (gǎng) primarily means 'harbor' or 'port'. It is widely used in contexts relating to maritime activities, such as shipping and trade. Additionally, it serves as an abbreviation for Hong Kong (香港), which is a significant cultural and economic hub in China.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#4680DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
港 is integral to the identity of Hong Kong (香港), which serves as a major international harbor and is known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. The character reflects the historical importance of maritime trade in China's economy.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 港 as a 'gate' (口) leading to the 'water' (氵), representing a harbor where ships enter. The pronunciation 'gǎng' sounds like 'gong', reminding you of the sound of a ship's bell in a busy port.
Meanings of 港
Gǎng(Gang3)
1Hong Kong, abbr. for 香港[Xiāng gǎng]
2harbor
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 港
港Simplified
12Strokes
氵Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#4680Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 港
Podcast: 港
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AI Study Notes for 港
Quick Contrast
码头 (mǎtóu) - use 港 (gǎng) when referring to a harbor in a broader sense, while 码头 specifically denotes a dock or wharf.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 港 as a 'gate' (口) leading to the 'water' (氵), representing a harbor where ships enter. The pronunciation 'gǎng' sounds like 'gong', reminding you of the sound of a ship's bell in a busy port.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 'gǎng' (港) is pronounced with a third tone, which can be confused with other words if mispronounced. It is often used in combination with other characters, such as in 港口 (gǎngkǒu), meaning 'port'. In formal contexts, it refers specifically to maritime ports, while in casual speech, it may also refer to places like Hong Kong.
HSK Study Tips
港 is not listed in the official HSK levels but is relevant for learners at HSK 3 and above, especially those interested in travel or trade. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and collocations, as well as its connection to Hong Kong.
Cultural Note
港 is integral to the identity of Hong Kong (香港), which serves as a major international harbor and is known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. The character reflects the historical importance of maritime trade in China's economy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 港 (gǎng) with other similar-sounding words like 降 (jiàng, to descend). Remember, 港 is specifically related to harbors. A common error is saying '我喜欢港' instead of '我喜欢香港' (I like Hong Kong).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 港
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Grammar Patterns of 港
港 carries 7 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
水手们在等待离____的时候四处闲逛。
Sailors hung about while they waited to ship out.
Example Sentences for 港 (10)
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1
水手们在等待离港的时候四处闲逛。
shuǐ shǒu mén zài děng dài lí gǎng de shí hòu sì chǔ xián guàng。
Sailors hung about while they waited to ship out.
2
他们请求香港允许他们在那里入港停留。
tā mén qǐng qiú xiāng gǎng yǔn xǔ tā mén zài nà lǐ rù gǎng tíng liú。
They had asked Hong Kong for permission to put into port there.
3
该渔港通常都是一派热闹繁忙的景象，很有地方色彩。
gāi yú gǎng tōng cháng dū shì yī pài rè nào fán máng de jǐng xiàng， ， hěn yǒu dì fāng sè。
The fishing boat harbour was usually bustling with lots of local colour.
Captain David Clement and 150 commandos stormed the port this morning.
Cultural Notes for 港
🏮Cultural insight
港 is integral to the identity of Hong Kong (香港), which serves as a major international harbor and is known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. The character reflects the historical importance of maritime trade in China's economy.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of a 'harbor' often emphasizes leisure and tourism, while in China, it is deeply intertwined with commerce and trade.
Word Family of 港
Words Containing This Character20
香港Hong Kong
港Gǎngharbor
港口gǎngkǒuport
海港seaport
港元Hong Kong dollar
港湾gǎngwānnatural harbor港灣
港币Hong Kong currency港幣
珍珠港Pearl Harbor (Hawaii)
避风港haven避風港
港澳Hong Kong 香港 and Macao 澳門|澳门
港务局port authority港務局
港台Hong Kong and Taiwan港臺
港澳台Hong Kong 香港, Macao 澳門|澳门 and Taiwan 臺灣|台湾[Táiwān]港澳臺
港区Minato area of downtown Tokyo港區
出港to leave harbor
连云港Lianyungang prefecture-level city in Jiangsu連雲港
港股Hong Kong shares
岘港Da Nang or Danang, Vietnam峴港
渔港fishing port漁港
香港大学The University of Hong Kong香港大學
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 香港 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 港
港 generally refers to any harbor or port, while 海港 specifically means 'marine port'.
You can say '我们去港口' (Wǒmen qù gǎngkǒu), meaning 'We are going to the port'.
No, while 港 is part of the name for Hong Kong, it also refers to any harbor or port.
