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March 24, 2026
唱chàng(chang4)
The character 唱 (chàng) primarily means 'to sing.' It is often used in contexts related to music, performance, or expressing oneself vocally. Additionally, it can imply calling out loudly or chanting, frequently associated with group activities or ceremonies.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#536DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
Singing plays a vital role in Chinese culture, from traditional operas to modern pop music. The practice of singing during festivals or gatherings is a common way to express joy and unity.
Memory Tip
Think of 唱 (chàng) as a person singing with their mouth wide open (口) under a bright sun (日) representing joy. Imagine them calling out a beautiful song that resonates in the air, making it easy to remember both the pronunciation and the meaning.
Meanings of 唱
chàng(chang4)
1to sing
2to call loudly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 唱
唱Simplified
11Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#536Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 唱
Podcast: 唱
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AI Study Notes for 唱
Quick Contrast
唱 (chàng) vs 唱歌 (chànggē) — use 唱 when referring to the action of singing in general, and 唱歌 when specifically talking about singing songs.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 唱 (chàng) as a person singing with their mouth wide open (口) under a bright sun (日) representing joy. Imagine them calling out a beautiful song that resonates in the air, making it easy to remember both the pronunciation and the meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 唱 with other similar-sounding verbs like 唠 (láo) which means 'to chat.' This verb is informal, and while it can be used in casual contexts, it also fits formal settings like concerts. Common collocations include 唱歌 (chànggē, to sing a song) and 唱戏 (chàngxì, to perform opera).
HSK Study Tips
While not specifically categorized in the HSK, 唱 is relevant for learners at HSK 2 and above, especially when discussing hobbies or interests. Focus on using it in combination with other vocabulary related to music and performance.
Cultural Note
Singing plays a vital role in Chinese culture, from traditional operas to modern pop music. The practice of singing during festivals or gatherings is a common way to express joy and unity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 唱 with other similar verbs. For instance, saying '我唱音乐' (Wǒ chàng yīnyuè) is incorrect; instead, use '我听音乐' (Wǒ tīng yīnyuè) which means 'I listen to music.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 唱
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Grammar Patterns of 唱
唱 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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 teacher asked us to sing a Chinese song in class.
21
她喜欢在家唱歌。
Tā xǐhuan zài jiā chàng gē.
She likes to sing at home.
22
我们明天去卡拉OK唱歌吧。
Wǒmen míngtiān qù kǎlā OK chàng gē ba.
Let's go to karaoke to sing tomorrow.
Cultural Notes for 唱
🏮Cultural insight
Singing plays a vital role in Chinese culture, from traditional operas to modern pop music. The practice of singing during festivals or gatherings is a common way to express joy and unity.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, singing is often seen as a personal or private expression, while in Chinese culture, it is frequently a communal activity enjoyed in larger groups during celebrations.
Word Family of 唱
Words Containing This Character20
唱chàngto sing
唱歌chànggēto sing a song
演唱会yǎnchànghuìvocal recital or concert演唱會
演唱yǎnchàngsung performance
唱片chàngpiànLP
歌唱gēchàngto sing
合唱héchàngchorus
说唱(music) rapping說唱
合唱团chorus合唱團
独唱dúchàngto solo獨唱
歌唱家singer
高唱to sing loudly
唱票to read ballot slips out loud
唱腔aria
大合唱cantata
吟唱to chant
对唱in duet對唱
清唱to sing opera music (without staging or make up)
唱反调to express a different view唱反調
唱机gramophone唱機
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 唱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 唱
唱 (chàng) means 'to sing' in general, while 唱歌 (chànggē) specifically means 'to sing a song.'
Yes, 唱 can refer to any form of singing, but it's often used in informal contexts.
You can say '我喜欢唱歌' (Wǒ xǐhuān chànggē), meaning 'I like to sing songs.'
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