HSK 1, ng, 11 strokes, radical 饣, rank #6024, Hard
馆
guǎn
building
HSK 1, ng, 11 strokes, radical 饣, rank #6024, Hard
馆
guǎn
shop
HSK 1, ng, 11 strokes, radical 饣, rank #6024, Hard
馆
guǎn
term for certain service establishments
HSK 1, ng, 11 strokes, radical 饣, rank #6024, Hard
馆
guǎn
embassy or consulate
HSK 1, ng, 11 strokes, radical 饣, rank #6024, Hard
馆
guǎn
schoolroom (old)
HSK 1, ng, 11 strokes, radical 饣, rank #6024, Hard
馆
guǎn
public building; shop, house, establishment
HSK 1, ng, 11 strokes, radical 饣, rank #6024, Hard
guǎn(guan3) T3
1>馆[guǎn]
2building
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March 24, 2026
馆(舘)guǎn(guan3)
The character 馆 (guǎn) refers to a building or establishment, often used to denote service-oriented places such as shops, restaurants, or public buildings. It can also specifically refer to embassies or consulates, and historically, it was used for schoolrooms. The context in which it is used can indicate the type of establishment, such as a restaurant (餐馆) or library (图书馆).
Strokes11Radical饣Frequency#6024DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a 馆 often reflects social gatherings and communal experiences, such as dining in a restaurant or studying in a library. The type of establishment can convey social status and regional specialties, highlighting the importance of community in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Think of 馆 (guǎn) as a 'grand building' where people gather, similar to a 'garden' (sounds like 'guān') filled with various shops. The left part (氵) represents water, suggesting a place where people come together, while the right part (官) hints at officials or services offered inside.
Meanings of 馆
guǎn(guan3)
1building
2shop
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 馆
馆Simplified
舘Traditional
11Strokes
饣Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#6024Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1
Podcast: 馆
Podcast: 馆
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AI Study Notes for 馆
Quick Contrast
餐馆 (cānguǎn) vs 饭馆 (fànguǎn): use 餐馆 when referring specifically to a restaurant that serves meals, while 饭馆 can refer to a more casual eatery.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 馆 (guǎn) as a 'grand building' where people gather, similar to a 'garden' (sounds like 'guān') filled with various shops. The left part (氵) represents water, suggesting a place where people come together, while the right part (官) hints at officials or services offered inside.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 馆 with similar characters like 屋 (wū, house) or 店 (diàn, store), which have different nuances. It's generally used in formal contexts when referring to establishments, so be mindful of the tone used. Common collocations include 餐馆 (cānguǎn, restaurant) and 酒馆 (jiǔguǎn, pub).
HSK Study Tips
Although 馆 is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it is relevant for learners progressing beyond basic vocabulary. Understanding this character can enhance your ability to describe various establishments in everyday conversations. Focus on recognizing it in compound words related to service industries.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a 馆 often reflects social gatherings and communal experiences, such as dining in a restaurant or studying in a library. The type of establishment can convey social status and regional specialties, highlighting the importance of community in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 馆 by saying it with a flat tone, failing to use the correct falling-rising tone (guǎn). Additionally, confusing it with similar characters can lead to incorrect usage; for example, saying '书屋' (shūwū) instead of '图书馆' (túshūguǎn) when referring to a library.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 馆
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Grammar Patterns of 馆
馆 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.
The hotel is set plumb in the middle of the high street.
9
我们当时还在伊顿广场的公使馆。
wǒ mén dāng shí huán zài yī dùn guǎng cháng de gōng shǐ guǎn。
We were still at the legation at Eaton Place.
10
就在那时，博物馆陷入了一片漆黑。
jiù zài nà shí， ， bó wù guǎn xiàn rù le yī piàn qī。
At that instant the museum was plunged into total darkness.
Cultural Notes for 馆
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of a 馆 often reflects social gatherings and communal experiences, such as dining in a restaurant or studying in a library. The type of establishment can convey social status and regional specialties, highlighting the importance of community in Chinese society.
Word Family of 馆
Words Containing This Character20
旅馆lǚguǎnhotel旅館
馆guǎnshop館
图书馆túshūguǎnlibrary圖書館
餐馆cānguǎnrestaurant餐館
博物馆bówùguǎnmuseum博物館
宾馆bīnguǎnlodge賓館
体育馆tǐyùguǎngym體育館
大使馆dàshǐguǎnembassy大使館
使馆consulate使館
场馆chǎngguǎnarena場館
酒馆tavern酒館
纪念馆jìniànguǎnmemorial hall紀念館
殡仪馆the undertaker's殯儀館
咖啡馆café咖啡館
饭馆fànguǎnrestaurant飯館
领事馆lǐngshìguǎnconsulate領事館
展馆exhibition hall展館
茶馆teahouse茶館
天文馆planetarium天文館
美术馆art gallery美術館
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 旅馆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 馆
Common words include 餐馆 (cānguǎn, restaurant) and 图书馆 (túshūguǎn, library).
Yes, but it is more commonly found in formal contexts when referring to establishments.
The correct pronunciation is guǎn, with a falling-rising tone.
