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March 24, 2026
臧zāng(Zang1)
The character 臧 (zāng) primarily means 'good' or 'right,' often used in contexts that imply generosity or commendable qualities. It can also refer to the surname Zang, and is associated with positive attributes or actions. In some contexts, it carries a sense of authority or command.
Strokes14Radical臣Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The character 臧 is often used in classical Chinese literature to describe virtuous individuals, reflecting a cultural appreciation for goodness and moral integrity that is deeply rooted in Confucian values.
Memory Tip
Imagine a generous person (zāng) giving away gifts, signifying goodness. The character 臧 looks like a person with arms outstretched, offering something valuable, reminding you of the generosity it represents.
Meanings of 臧
zāng(Zang1)
1good, right; generous; to command
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 臧
臧Simplified
14Strokes
臣Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 臧
Podcast: 臧
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AI Study Notes for 臧
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a generous person (zāng) giving away gifts, signifying goodness. The character 臧 looks like a person with arms outstretched, offering something valuable, reminding you of the generosity it represents.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone as 'zāng' is pronounced with a high-level tone, which differs from similar-sounding characters that might have negative meanings. This character is rarely used in everyday conversation, so it's more formal or literary. Common collocations include terms related to virtue or commendable qualities.
HSK Study Tips
Although 臧 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it shares thematic connections with words related to virtue and morality, which may appear in advanced study materials. Focus on recognizing its positive connotations and how it may appear in literary texts.
Cultural Note
The character 臧 is often used in classical Chinese literature to describe virtuous individuals, reflecting a cultural appreciation for goodness and moral integrity that is deeply rooted in Confucian values.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 臧 with similar characters like 藏 (cáng), which means 'to hide' or 'to store.' Remember that 臧 has a positive connotation related to goodness, while 藏 does not.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 臧
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Cultural Notes for 臧
🏮Cultural insight
The character 臧 is often used in classical Chinese literature to describe virtuous individuals, reflecting a cultural appreciation for goodness and moral integrity that is deeply rooted in Confucian values.
Word Family of 臧
Words Containing This Character2
臧zānggood
臧克家Zang Kejia (1905-2004), Chinese poet
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 臧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 臧
No, 臧 is relatively rare in modern use and is more often found in classical or literary contexts.
Yes, it can describe people as having good qualities or being virtuous.