Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
黉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
黉hóngschoolg, 16 strokes, radical 黄
hóng(hong2) T2
  1. 1school
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

黉(黌)hóng(hong2)

The character 黉 (hóng) refers specifically to a school or educational institution. It is often used in a formal or literary context to denote a place of learning, particularly in historical texts. This word embodies a deeper respect for education in Chinese culture.

Strokes16Radical黄
Cultural Note

In ancient China, the concept of education was closely tied to Confucian ideals, and institutions referred to as 黉 were revered as places for moral and intellectual development. This character reflects the high value placed on scholars and learning in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise owl (which symbolizes education) perched on a school building (representing 'school'). The character 黉 contains the radical for black (黑), which can remind you of a traditional blackboard found in classrooms, and the pronunciation 'hóng' rhymes with 'song,' evoking the idea of learning through songs and chants in school.

Meanings of 黉

hóng(hong2)
1school
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 黉

黉Simplified
黌Traditional
16Strokes
黄Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 黉

JasonAmy

Podcast: 黉

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 黉

Usage Notes

This term is primarily used in literary or formal contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. A common mistake is confusing it with the more casual term for school, 学校 (xuéxiào). Remember that 黉 is more respectful and formal.

HSK Study Tips

Although not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding 黉 can enhance your appreciation of literary texts. Connect this word to other educational terms you learn at higher levels, such as 学 (xué, to study) and 教 (jiāo, to teach), to build a broader vocabulary related to education.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 黉 in informal contexts, where 学校 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我在黉上学' (I study at the school) is incorrect; it should be '我在学校上学'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 黉

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 黉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 黉

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 黉

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 黉? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.

Decomposition of 黉

IDS Structure⿳⺍冖黄
黉Full Character
=
⺍xiao3
top
冖mi4
middle
黄Huang2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 黉?

How to say school in Chinese

“school” in Chinese is黉hóng

The character 黉 (hóng) refers specifically to a school or educational institution. It is often used in a formal or literary context to denote a place of learning, particularly in historical texts. This word embodies a deeper respect for education in Chinese culture.

When to use 黉

This term is primarily used in literary or formal contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. A common mistake is confusing it with the more casual term for school, 学校 (xuéxiào). Remember that 黉 is more respectful and formal.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 黉 in informal contexts, where 学校 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我在黉上学' (I study at the school) is incorrect; it should be '我在学校上学'.

Write 黉

黉

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 黉

Words Containing This Character1
黉hóngschool黌
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 黉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 黉

黉 is a more formal term for 'school' that carries historical significance, while 学校 is the common term used in everyday conversation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 黉?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.