Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
逞chěng(cheng3)
The character 逞 (chěng) conveys the idea of indulging oneself or showing off. It is often used in contexts where individuals boast about their achievements or flaunt their abilities, sometimes to the point of arrogance. Its nuances can suggest both playful self-indulgence and a more negative connotation of bragging.
Strokes10Radical辶Frequency#13638DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, making the act of showing off or bragging (逞) often frowned upon. This character reflects the tension between individual achievement and societal expectations of modesty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person at a party, 'chěng'ing (showing off) while holding a trophy. The left part 走 (zǒu) suggests movement, while the right part 成 (chéng) means to succeed, together hinting at someone who is flaunting their success and moving through life with confidence.
Meanings of 逞
chěng(cheng3)
1indulge oneself; brag, show off
2to show off
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 逞
逞Simplified
10Strokes
辶Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 逞
Podcast: 逞
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 逞
Quick Contrast
炫 (xuàn) — use 逞 when emphasizing self-indulgence or arrogance, while 炫 focuses more on showing off in a flashy manner.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person at a party, 'chěng'ing (showing off) while holding a trophy. The left part 走 (zǒu) suggests movement, while the right part 成 (chéng) means to succeed, together hinting at someone who is flaunting their success and moving through life with confidence.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 逞 can carry a negative connotation, especially if used in formal contexts. Common collocations include 逞强 (chěngqiáng, to show off one's strength) and 逞口舌 (chěng kǒushé, to show off verbally). A common mistake is using it in overly formal settings, where it may sound unrefined.
HSK Study Tips
While 逞 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be linked to themes of boasting and self-promotion common in HSK Level 4 and above. Focus on understanding its usage with adjectives and verbs related to self-expression.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, making the act of showing off or bragging (逞) often frowned upon. This character reflects the tension between individual achievement and societal expectations of modesty.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 逞 with 成 (chéng, to succeed) due to their similar appearance. For example, saying '我逞了我的成绩' (I showed off my results) is incorrect; it should be '我炫耀了我的成绩' (I flaunted my results).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 逞
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 逞 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 逞 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 逞
逞 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 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 3
Complete the Sentence
住手吧，佩里。你已经____过英雄了。现在一切都结束了。
Cut it out, Perry. You've performed your heroics. It's all over now.
Cut it out, Perry. You've performed your heroics. It's all over now.
2
如果他存心要让你不得安宁的话，那他是得逞了。
rú guǒ tā cún xīn yào ràng nǐ bù dé ān níng de huà， ， nà tā shì dé chěng。
If he's trying to rattle your cage, it's working.
3
我知道她是不幸的, 尽管她嘴上逞强.
wǒ zhī dào tā shì bù xìng de, , jìn guǎn tā zuǐ shàng chěng.
I know she's unhappy, all her brave talk to the contrary.
Cultural Notes for 逞
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, making the act of showing off or bragging (逞) often frowned upon. This character reflects the tension between individual achievement and societal expectations of modesty.
Word Family of 逞
Words Containing This Character5
得逞to prevail
逞chěngto show off
逞强chěngqiángto show off逞強
逞能chěngnéngto show off one's ability
不逞之徒desperado
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 得逞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 逞
Not necessarily; it can imply playful boasting but often carries a negative connotation, especially in formal settings.
It can be used positively in casual contexts among friends, but be cautious of the audience.
Synonyms include 自夸 (zìkuā, to boast) and 显摆 (xiǎnbǎi, to show off), but each carries slightly different nuances.
