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巠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
巠jīngunderground river; flowing waterx, 7 strokes, radical 巛
巠jīngunderground watercourseunknown, 7 strokes, radical 巛
巠jīngarchaic variant of 經|经[jing1]unknown, 7 strokes, radical 巛
jīng(jing1) T1
  1. 1underground river; flowing water
  2. 2underground watercourse
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March 24, 2026

巠jīng(jing1)

The character 巠 (jīng) refers to an underground river or a flow of water beneath the surface. It is often used in a more poetic or literary context, highlighting the hidden or unseen aspects of water. This character can also be seen as an archaic variant of 經 (jīng), which means 'to pass through' or 'to experience'.

Strokes7Radical巛
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, rivers and watercourses symbolize life and prosperity, often appearing in poetry and art. The concept of hidden or underground rivers reflects the deeper, often unseen aspects of nature that are appreciated in Chinese philosophy.

Memory Tip

Imagine a secret underground river flowing quietly beneath the earth. The character 巠 resembles flowing water, with its wavy bottom line indicating movement. Remembering 'jīng' sounds like 'jingling' water can help you visualize this hidden stream.

Meanings of 巠

jīng(jing1)
1underground river; flowing water
2underground watercourse
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 巠

巠Simplified
7Strokes
巛Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 巠

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AI Study Notes for 巠

Usage Notes

While 巠 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it may appear in classical literature or poetry. Be careful not to confuse it with 經 (jīng), which has a broader range of meanings and is more commonly used. The tone is important; ensure you pronounce it with the first tone (jīng).

HSK Study Tips

This character does not appear in the current HSK lists, but understanding it can enhance your appreciation for classical texts. Focus on the relationship between 巠 and 經, as both involve concepts of water and flow, which may help in remembering their meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 巠 with 經 due to their similar pronunciations and meanings. For example, saying '我喜欢川的故事' (I like the stories of rivers) may incorrectly imply a modern context. Instead, use '我喜欢关于川的古典文学' (I enjoy classical literature about rivers) to properly reflect its literary usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 巠

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Etymology of 巠

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

Pictograph of a loom.

Memory Hint

river

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

Origin

巠 = 巛 + 工. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 巠

IDS Structure⿱⿱一巛工
巠Full Character
=
一yi1
top
巛chuan1
bottom
工gong1
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 巠?

How to say underground river; flowing water in Chinese

“underground river; flowing water” in Chinese is巠jīng

The character 巠 (jīng) refers to an underground river or a flow of water beneath the surface. It is often used in a more poetic or literary context, highlighting the hidden or unseen aspects of water. This character can also be seen as an archaic variant of 經 (jīng), which means 'to pass through' or 'to experience'.

When to use 巠

While 巠 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it may appear in classical literature or poetry. Be careful not to confuse it with 經 (jīng), which has a broader range of meanings and is more commonly used. The tone is important; ensure you pronounce it with the first tone (jīng).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 巠 with 經 due to their similar pronunciations and meanings. For example, saying '我喜欢川的故事' (I like the stories of rivers) may incorrectly imply a modern context. Instead, use '我喜欢关于川的古典文学' (I enjoy classical literature about rivers) to properly reflect its literary usage.

Write 巠

巠

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 巠

While 巠 specifically refers to underground water and is more poetic, 經 has broader meanings including 'to pass through' and is commonly used in modern contexts.

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