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王 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
wángsurname WangHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wángking or monarchHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wángbest or strongest of its typeHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wánggrandHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wánggreatHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wángto ruleHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wángto reign overHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wángking, ruler; royal; surnameHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wàngsurname WangHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wàngking or monarchHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wàngbest or strongest of its typeHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wànggrandHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wànggreatHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wàngto ruleHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wàngto reign overHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wàngking, ruler; royal; surnameHSK 4, nr, 4 strokes, radical 王, rank #1381, Medium
wáng(Wang2)
primary
T2
  1. 1king or monarch
  2. 2best or strongest of its type
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
wáng(Wang2)

The character 王 (wáng) primarily means 'king' or 'monarch', referring to a ruler or sovereign. It can also denote greatness or superiority, often used to indicate the best or strongest of its kind. In addition, it serves as a common Chinese surname, illustrating both its historical significance and contemporary relevance.

Strokes4RadicalFrequency#1381DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

The character 王 is deeply intertwined with Chinese history, where dynasties and emperors played crucial roles. In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of the 'king' encompasses not just governance but moral authority and virtue.

Memory Tip

Imagine a majestic crown atop a grand throne, symbolizing royalty. The character 王 resembles a crown with its three horizontal strokes, evoking the image of a king ruling over his realm. Remember 'wáng' sounds like 'wong', as in 'wong' is a powerful name fit for a king.

Meanings of 王

wáng(Wang2)
primary
1king or monarch
2best or strongest of its type
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 王

Simplified
4Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#1381Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 王

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 王

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a majestic crown atop a grand throne, symbolizing royalty. The character 王 resembles a crown with its three horizontal strokes, evoking the image of a king ruling over his realm. Remember 'wáng' sounds like 'wong', as in 'wong' is a powerful name fit for a king.

Usage Notes

王 is often used in formal contexts when referring to royalty or leadership. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding names or characters, such as 亡 (wáng), which means 'to perish'. Be careful to use the correct tone when pronouncing wáng, as tonal differences can change meanings drastically.

HSK Study Tips

While 王 is not explicitly listed in the HSK levels, it is foundational for understanding characters related to authority and superiority. Students should focus on its uses in names and phrases, and practice combining it with other characters to form compound words related to kingship or excellence.

Cultural Note

The character 王 is deeply intertwined with Chinese history, where dynasties and emperors played crucial roles. In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of the 'king' encompasses not just governance but moral authority and virtue.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 王 (wáng) with 亡 (wáng), which means 'to die'. For example, saying '亡的' instead of '王的' when referring to something royal is incorrect. Always pay attention to the tone and context to ensure clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 王

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Etymology of 王

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

Pictograph of an axe head, used as a symbol of the king's military authority.

Memory Hint

A man 十 bridging heaven and earth (both 一)

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 王?

Decomposition of 王

IDS Structure⿱一土
Full Character
=
yi1
top
Tu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 王?

Write 王

Practice writing 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 王

王 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 8 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 4

Complete the Sentence

喂,请问____老师在吗?

Hello? Is Teacher Wang there?

Common Confusions with 王

vs
wàng

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

vs
wáng

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "king or monarch"?

or

Example Sentences for 王 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你可以跟着一起唱你最喜爱的“猫王”的热门歌曲。

nǐ kě yǐ gēn zháo yī qǐ chàng nǐ zuì xǐ ài de“ “ māo” wáng ” de rè mén。

You can sing along to your favourite Elvis hits.
2
毫无疑问她是我们拥有的最为出众的王后。

háo wú yí wèn tā shì wǒ mén yōng yǒu de zuì wéi chū zhòng de wáng hòu。

She was surely the most distinguished queen consort we have had.
3
喝下午茶的时候,维多利亚与其夫君艾伯特亲王表演了二重唱。

hē xià wǔ chá de shí hòu, , wéi duō lì yà yǔ qí fū jūn ài bó tè qīn wáng biǎo yǎn le èr zhòng。

At tea-time, Victoria sang duets with her Consort, Prince Albert.
4
国王只不过是给了这些政客自缚的绳子。

guó wáng zhī bù guò shì gěi le zhè xiē zhèng kè zì fù de shéng zǐ。

The King has merely given the politicians enough rope to hang themselves.
5
玛丽女王开启了青花瓷在英格兰的流行风尚。

mǎ lì nǚ wáng kāi qǐ le qīng huā cí zài yīng gé lán de liú háng fēng shàng。

Queen Mary started the fashion for blue and white china in England.
6
我命中注定有一天要成为国王。

wǒ mìng zhōng zhù dìng yǒu yī tiān yào chéng wéi guó wáng。

It is my destiny one day to be king.
7
有人教我们如何向女王行屈膝礼。

yǒu rén jiào wǒ mén rú hé xiàng nǚ wáng háng qū xī lǐ。

We were taught how to curtsy to the Queen.
8
辛格尔顿是个牛皮大王,他自称有一条空手道黑带。

xīn gé ěr dùn shì gè niú pí dà wáng, , tā zì chēng yǒu yī tiáo kōng shǒu dào hēi。

Singleton was a fantasist who claimed to have a karate blackbelt.
9
他把他们的王国分成了三个部分。

tā bǎ tā mén de wáng guó fēn chéng le sān gè bù fēn。

He divided their kingdom into thirds.
10
大家拘谨地列好队迎接国王.

dà jiā jū jǐn dì liè hǎo duì yíng jiē guó wáng.

Everyone was formally lined up to meet the king.

Cultural Notes for 王

🏮Cultural insight

The character 王 is deeply intertwined with Chinese history, where dynasties and emperors played crucial roles. In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of the 'king' encompasses not just governance but moral authority and virtue.

Word Family of 王

Compounds368
xian4to appear
Quan2surname Quan
li3texture
wang4full moon
wan2toy
zhu3owner
qiu2ball
Jin1surname Jin
long4lane
Ban1surname Ban
kuang2mad
rui4auspicious; a good omen
ma3agate, cornelian
Huan2surname Huan
se4a large string instrument; to tremble, to vibrate
lin2a beautiful gemstone
zhen1precious thing
Huang2emperor
zhu1bead
qin2guqin or zither, cf 古琴[gǔ qín]
bo1glass
li2(phonetic character used in transliteration of foreign names)
yu4jade
qiong2jade; rare, precious; elegant
e4bad, ill-omened, unlucky
cheng2to present to a superior
mei2rose
gui1extraordinary, fabulous; rose; semi-precious stone
qi2fine jade
po4amber
ban1spot
shan1coral
wang4prosperous
yu2flawless gem or jewel
Wang1vast, extensive, deep; surname
suo3petty; trifling; troublesome
zhuo2to cut (gems)
ling2the tinkling of jewelry
xia2fault, default; a flaw in a gem
wang3to twist
dian4character flaw; a flaw in a gem
qi2jade, gem, precious stone
fu3cauldron, kettle, pot
hu2coral
min2alabaster; a jade-like stone
jia1an ornament attached to a woman's hairpin
ji1an oblong pearl
liu2sparkling stone; opaque, glazed
Kuang1to correct, to revise; to restore
ke1an inferior kind of jade
chen1treasure, valuables
hu3amber, tigers-eye
pi2a guitar-like instrument (1)
jiu3black jade; nine (bankers' anti-fraud numeral)
can4gem; the luster of a gem
ying1a gem's luster; crystal
cui3brillance; luster; to shine
nao3agate, cornelian
huang2a jade pendant
lu4a beautiful variety of jade
long2the tinkling of jewelry
lang2pure, white; carnelian
pu2unpolished gem
jin3the brilliance or luster of a gem
pa2a guitar-like instrument (2)
min2gem, jade-like stone
er3pearl or jade earring; to insert, to stick
Yao2precious jade
diu1to lose; to discard
fa4enamel, cloissoné
run4intercalary; extra, surplus
luo4a kind of necklace
xu1anxious, grieving
tang2a kind of jade
sheng4holy, sacred; sage, saint
qiong2jade; rare, precious; elegant
ma3agate, cornelian
wei3a type of red jade; rare, valuable
bin1(archaic) a kind of jade, porphyrite
xuan2beautiful jade; star
ding1jingling, tinkling
di4pearl
yu2semi-precious stone
ya2used in place names
dai4tortoise shell
jue2two gems mounted together
gong3precious stone; a county in Sichuan
yao2mother-of-pearl
hang2central gem; crown jewel
hui1bright, glorious, splendid
lian3a vessel used to hold grain offerings
ju1girdle ornaments
kun1beautiful jade, precious stones
wan3fine jade; nobility
Cong2an octagonal jade ornament
yan3gemstone fire; scintillation
mao4fine jade
xuan1ornamental jade
yuan4a large jade ring
tian4a jade earring
ai4fine jade
cong1turquoise
zhang1jade plaything; jade ornament
ying1a necklace made of precious stones
jue2splendid; a jade ring
Qu2jade ring; jade earring; surname
li4brilliant
zan4ceremonial libation cup
jue2guitar strings; variant of 珏
bao3treasure, jewel; rare, precious
pei4jade ornament
xian4to appear, to manifest; current, now
ya2a place in eastern Shandong
wei3a type of red jade; rare, valuable
suo3petty; trifling; troublesome
yao2precious jade
lang2pure, white; cornelian
ji1an oblong pearl
ai4fine jade
huan2bracelet, ring; to surround, to loop
long2the tinkling of jewelry
ying1a necklace made of precious stones
ting1to hear, to listen; to understand; to obey
run4intercalary; extra, surplus
xu1anxious, grieving
ren4cooked food; to cook until well-done
鳿
Words Containing This Character20
wánggrand
国王guówángking國王
王子wángzǐprince
女王queen
王八tortoise
王国wángguókingdom王國
大王king
王朝dynasty
王后wánghòuqueen
霸王hegemon
天王emperor
拳王boxing champion
王牌wángpáitrump card
帝王regent
亲王prince親王
王菲Faye Wong (1969-), Hong Kong pop star and actress
王道statecraft
王室royal family
王妃princess (in Europe)
王位kingship
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 现 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 王

Yes, 王 (Wáng) is one of the most common surnames in China. It ranks among the top ten surnames and is shared by millions of people, making it easily recognizable across the country.