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康 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
康Kāngsurname KangHSK 3, nr, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #4695, Hard
康KānghealthyHSK 3, nr, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #4695, Hard
康KāngpeacefulHSK 3, nr, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #4695, Hard
康KāngabundantHSK 3, nr, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #4695, Hard
康Kānghealth; peace, quietHSK 3, nr, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #4695, Hard
Kāng(Kang1) T1
  1. 1healthy
  2. 2peaceful
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
康Kāng(Kang1)

The character 康 (kāng) primarily means 'healthy' or 'peaceful.' It is often used in contexts relating to health, well-being, and tranquility, making it a positive term in both personal and societal settings. It can also serve as a surname, which is common among Chinese families.

Strokes11Radical广Frequency#4695DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, concepts of health and peace are deeply valued, often reflected in sayings and practices that promote harmony in life. The character 康 embodies this cultural emphasis on a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Memory Tip

Imagine a serene landscape (康) where people are living healthily and peacefully. The character's components can be broken down: the left part resembles a person (亻) while the right part (康) suggests a feeling of abundance and tranquility, reinforcing the idea of health and peace.

Meanings of 康

Kāng(Kang1)
1healthy
2peaceful
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 康

康Simplified
11Strokes
广Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#4695Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3

Podcast: 康

JasonAmy

Podcast: 康

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 康

Quick Contrast

安 (ān) - use 康 (kāng) when emphasizing health and well-being, while 安 (ān) focuses more on peace and safety.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a serene landscape (康) where people are living healthily and peacefully. The character's components can be broken down: the left part resembles a person (亻) while the right part (康) suggests a feeling of abundance and tranquility, reinforcing the idea of health and peace.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 康 with other health-related terms. Remember to use 康 in contexts that emphasize health and peace rather than in more clinical or technical discussions. It is generally used in both formal and informal registers.

HSK Study Tips

While 康 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other health-related words at the same level, such as 健 (jiàn) meaning 'healthy' or 'strong.' Focus on how 康 can be used in phrases that describe well-being.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, concepts of health and peace are deeply valued, often reflected in sayings and practices that promote harmony in life. The character 康 embodies this cultural emphasis on a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 康 in contexts that require more technical health vocabulary, such as 'disease' (病, bìng). Instead, use 康 only to refer to health in a positive sense, as in '健康的生活' (jiànkāng de shēnghuó) meaning 'a healthy life.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 康

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Etymology of 康

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 米 represents the meaning and 庚 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

A home 广 with a servant 隶

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 康?

Decomposition of 康

IDS Structure⿸广隶
康Full Character
=
广Guang3
enclosing
隶li4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 康?

Write 康

康

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

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Grammar Patterns of 康

康 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

为大家的健____干杯！

Cheers to everyone's health!

Common Confusions with 康

康vs常
cháng

Similar shape and sound, but different meanings.

康vs强
qiáng

Similar pronunciation but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "healthy"?

or

Example Sentences for 康 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你头发的发质与健康状况都应改善。

nǐ tóu fā de fā zhì yǔ jiàn kāng zhuàng kuàng dū yīng gǎi shàn。

Both the texture and condition of your hair should improve.
2
埃德温·H.康格是特命全权公使。

āi dé wēn·H. ·H. kāng gé shì tè mìng quán quán gōng。

Edwin H. Conger was envoy extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.
3
一杯红酒有益健康。

yī bēi hóng jiǔ yǒu yì jiàn kāng。

A glass of red wine keeps you in the pink.
4
康拉德·布莱克举办了一次远超人们预期的精彩聚会。

kāng lā dé· · bù lái kè jǔ bàn le yī cì yuǎn chāo rén mén yù qī de jīng cǎi jù。

Conrad Black gave an excellent party that surpassed expectations.
5
他牵着迪康的手把他领进屋。

tā qiān zháo dí kāng de shǒu bǎ tā lǐng jìn wū。

He took Dickon by the hand to lead him into the house.
6
他像跳康康舞一样踢着腿。

tā xiàng tiào kāng kāng wǔ yī yàng tī zháo tuǐ。

He was kicking his legs like a Can Can dancer.
7
分娩过程最终非常顺利，生了个健康的男婴。

fēn miǎn guò chéng zuì zhōng fēi cháng shùn lì， ， shēng le gè jiàn kāng de nán。

In the end, it was an easy delivery: a fine baby boy.
8
康蒂跪下来虔诚地用手在胸前画了个十字。

kāng dì guì xià lái qián chéng dì yòng shǒu zài xiōng qián huà le gè shí zì。

Conti kneeled and crossed himself piously.
9
她突然想到康妮是个合适人选。

tā tū rán xiǎng dào kāng nī shì gè hé shì rén xuǎn。

Connie suddenly struck her as a logical candidate.
10
一剂好的补品将有助于身体康复。

yī jì hǎo de bǔ pǐn jiāng yǒu zhù yú shēn tǐ kāng fù。

A good dose of tonic will help you to pick up.

Cultural Notes for 康

💡Did you know?

The character 康 is often used in names and phrases related to health, such as 健康 (jiànkāng), which means 'health'. It reflects the cultural significance of well-being in Chinese society.

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, concepts of health and peace are deeply valued, often reflected in sayings and practices that promote harmony in life. The character 康 embodies this cultural emphasis on a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Word Family of 康

Compounds9
慷kang1generous
糠kang1chaff, bran, husk; poor
槺kang1warehouse, large room
鱇
嵻
漮
穅
躿
鏮
Words Containing This Character16
健康jiànkānghealth
康复kāngfùto recuperate康復
康Kānghealthy
小康xiǎokāngwell-off
康熙Kangxi, title of the reign (1661-1722) of the Kangxi Emperor 聖祖|圣祖[Shèng​zǔ]
安康Ankang prefecture-level city in Shaanxi
尼康Nikon corporation
康涅狄格州Connecticut, US state
康佳Kongka (brand)
康奈尔Cornell (US University)康奈爾
康涅狄格Connecticut, US state
康乃馨carnation or clove pink
富士康Foxconn Technology Group
威斯康星州Wisconsin, US state
康德Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), German philosopher
奥康纳O'Connor (name)奧康納
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 慷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 康

Related words include 健康 (jiànkāng), which means 'health,' and 安康 (ānkāng), meaning 'peace and health.' Both terms emphasize well-being and a peaceful state.