HSK 4, nr, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #1785, Hard
熊
xióng
bear
HSK 4, nr, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #1785, Hard
熊
xióng
to scold
HSK 4, nr, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #1785, Hard
熊
xióng
to rebuke
HSK 4, nr, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #1785, Hard
熊
xióng
brilliant light
HSK 4, nr, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #1785, Hard
熊
xióng
to shine brightly
HSK 4, nr, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #1785, Hard
熊
xióng
a bear; brilliant; surname
HSK 4, nr, 14 strokes, radical 灬, rank #1785, Hard
xióng(Xiong2) T2
1bear
2to scold
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March 24, 2026
熊xióng(Xiong2)
The character 熊 (xióng) primarily means 'bear' in Mandarin, referring to the large mammal known for its strength and size. It can also be used metaphorically to imply someone who is strong or domineering, and in some contexts, it can refer to a brilliant light or something that shines brightly. This character is commonly encountered in both everyday conversation and literature.
Strokes14Radical灬Frequency#1785DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bears are often seen as symbols of strength and bravery. The giant panda, known as 熊猫 (xióngmāo), is a national treasure and represents peace and friendship, highlighting the cultural significance of bears.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bear (熊) with a shiny coat reflecting sunlight. The pronunciation 'xióng' sounds like 'shiny' combined with 'bear,' helping you remember that this character represents a bear that shines brightly in the forest.
Meanings of 熊
xióng(Xiong2)
1bear
2to scold
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 熊
熊Simplified
14Strokes
灬Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#1785Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 熊
Podcast: 熊
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AI Study Notes for 熊
Quick Contrast
熊 (bear) vs 狼 (wolf) — choose 熊 when referring to a bear specifically, while 狼 refers to a different animal altogether.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bear (熊) with a shiny coat reflecting sunlight. The pronunciation 'xióng' sounds like 'shiny' combined with 'bear,' helping you remember that this character represents a bear that shines brightly in the forest.
Usage Notes
When using 熊, be careful not to confuse it with similar sounding words, as it can lead to misunderstandings. It's generally informal when referring to a bear but can be used in more serious contexts when discussing characteristics or metaphors. Common collocations include 熊猫 (xióngmāo, panda) and 熊掌 (xióngzhǎng, bear paw).
HSK Study Tips
Although 熊 is not specifically listed on the HSK levels, it connects well with HSK 1 vocabulary like 动物 (dòngwù, animal). Students should focus on recognizing the character's pronunciation and meanings, as well as its usage in phrases that describe animals or strength.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bears are often seen as symbols of strength and bravery. The giant panda, known as 熊猫 (xióngmāo), is a national treasure and represents peace and friendship, highlighting the cultural significance of bears.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 熊 with the similar-sounding word 冒 (mào), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, saying '我喜欢冒' (wǒ xǐhuān mào) instead of '我喜欢熊' (wǒ xǐhuān xióng) can change the meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 熊
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Grammar Patterns of 熊
熊 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 7 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.
běi jí xióng shēn shàng de bái sè de nóng mì ruǎn máo shì yī zhǒng tiān rán de wěi zhuāng.
The white fur of the polar bear is a natural camouflage.
10
这座宾馆燃起熊熊大火。
zhè zuò bīn guǎn rán qǐ xióng xióng dà huǒ。
The hotel went up in flames.
Cultural Notes for 熊
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, bears are often symbols of strength and bravery. The character '熊' can represent both the animal and a scolding tone, showing how language can reflect cultural values.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, bears are often seen as symbols of strength and bravery. The giant panda, known as 熊猫 (xióngmāo), is a national treasure and represents peace and friendship, highlighting the cultural significance of bears.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, bears are often viewed as fierce and dangerous creatures, while in some Chinese contexts, they can symbolize strength and protectiveness.
Word Family of 熊
Compounds1
羆pi2brown bear, Ursus arctos
Words Containing This Character20
熊xióngbear
熊猫xióngmāopanda熊貓
大熊猫dàxióngmāogiant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)大熊貓
熊熊raging
浣熊raccoon (Procyon lotor)
北极熊polar bear北極熊
狗熊black bear
熊市bear market
黑熊Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus)
熊掌bear paw (as food)
小熊猫lesser panda小熊貓
棕熊brown bear
白熊polar bear
熊胆bear gall (used in TCM)熊膽
鱼与熊掌you can't always get everything you want魚與熊掌
小熊座Ursa Minor (constellation)
虎背熊腰tough and stocky build
大熊座Ursa Major, the Great Bear (constellation)
银熊奖Silver Bear, award at the Berlin International Film Festival銀熊獎
猫熊panda貓熊
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 羆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 熊
熊 (xióng) has several meanings depending on the context. It can refer to a bear, a surname, or the act of scolding someone. Additionally, it can also describe something that shines brightly or a brilliant light.
Yes, 熊 (Xiong) is a relatively common surname in China. It is often associated with strong characteristics, reflecting the meaning of the character itself. Surnames in Chinese culture can carry significant familial heritage and pride.
熊 (xióng) primarily means 'bear' in Chinese. It can also be a surname or refer to someone who is strong or powerful. In different contexts, it can also imply to scold or rebuke someone.
You can use 熊 (xióng) in a sentence like '我看到了一只熊' (Wǒ kàn dào le yī zhī xióng), which means 'I saw a bear.' This demonstrates its primary meaning. In a different context, you might say '他总是熊我' (Tā zǒng shì xióng wǒ) to mean 'He always scolds me.'
熊 specifically refers to bears, while other characters like 狗 (gǒu) refers to dogs and 猫 (māo) refers to cats.
Yes, 熊 can be used to describe someone strong or domineering in personality.
It is pronounced as 'xióng,' with the first tone being high and level.
