HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 子, rank #2453, Medium
存
cún
to deposit
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 子, rank #2453, Medium
存
cún
to store
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 子, rank #2453, Medium
存
cún
to keep
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 子, rank #2453, Medium
存
cún
to survive
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 子, rank #2453, Medium
存
cún
to exist; to survive, to maintain; to keep, to store; to deposit
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 子, rank #2453, Medium
cún(cun2) T2
1to exist
2to deposit
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
存cún(cun2)
The character 存 (cún) primarily means 'to exist' or 'to store/deposit'. It is commonly used in contexts related to saving money, keeping items, or referring to the existence of something. The nuance often implies a sense of maintenance or preservation over time.
Strokes6Radical子Frequency#2453DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of saving or storing has historical significance, especially in the context of family and community. The practice of saving money for future generations is often emphasized in Chinese households.
Memory Tip
Think of 存 (cún) as a 'container' (the radical 宀 suggests a roof or a shelter) that holds something valuable inside, like money or memories. Imagine storing your favorite toys in a box under a roof, reminding you that they exist and are preserved.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 存
Quick Contrast
保留 (bǎoliú) vs 存 (cún): Use 存 when emphasizing the act of storing or depositing, while 保留 suggests preserving something in its original state.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 存 (cún) as a 'container' (the radical 宀 suggests a roof or a shelter) that holds something valuable inside, like money or memories. Imagine storing your favorite toys in a box under a roof, reminding you that they exist and are preserved.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 存 with 住 (zhù), which means 'to live' or 'to reside'. In informal contexts, it can be used to talk about keeping something for later use, while in formal settings, it may refer to financial deposits. Remember that the third tone can sometimes be mispronounced as the second tone.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 4, 存 connects well with other words related to finance and storage, like 储蓄 (chǔxù, to save money) and 保存 (bǎocún, to preserve). Students should focus on its various applications in everyday conversations and written contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of saving or storing has historical significance, especially in the context of family and community. The practice of saving money for future generations is often emphasized in Chinese households.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 存 in contexts where 保留 (bǎoliú, to retain) is more appropriate, such as saying 存这份文件 instead of 保留这份文件. Always consider the nuance of maintenance versus mere existence.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 存
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 存 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 存 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 存
存 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 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
A manufacturer negligently made and marketed a car with defective brakes.
9
他关心人类生存环境的改善。
tā guān xīn rén lèi shēng cún huán jìng de gǎi shàn。
He was concerned with the enhancement of the human condition.
10
这一遗迹在德鲁伊特来到不列颠前就已存在。
zhè yī yí jì zài dé lǔ yī tè lái dào bù liè diān qián jiù yǐ cún zài。
The monument predates the arrival of the druids in Britain.
Cultural Notes for 存
💡Did you know?
The character '存' relates to the idea of preserving or keeping something safe, similar to how seeds are stored for future planting. This reflects the importance of resource management in Chinese culture.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of saving or storing has historical significance, especially in the context of family and community. The practice of saving money for future generations is often emphasized in Chinese households.
Word Family of 存
Compounds9
荐jian4to recommend
栫
洊
珔
侟
拵
臶
袸
銌
Words Containing This Character20
存在cúnzàito exist
存cúnto exist
生存shēngcúnto exist
幸存者survivor倖存者
保存bǎocúnto conserve
存款cúnkuǎnbank savings
库存stock庫存
内存nèicúninternal storage內存
存储to store up存儲
存活survival
幸存xìngcúnto survive (a disaster)倖存
储存chǔcúnstockpile儲存
存放cúnfàngto deposit
存货stock存貨
并存to coexist並存
存折cúnzhépassbook存摺
封存to sequester
共存to coexist
现存extant現存
留存to keep
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 荐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 存
Yes, 存 (cún) is a common character that appears frequently in everyday language, especially in contexts related to finance and existence. It is included in HSK Level 3, making it essential for learners to understand and use.
Some synonyms of 存 (cún) include 保持 (bǎochí), which means 'to maintain,' and 存放 (cúnfàng), which means 'to store' or 'to deposit.' These words can be used in similar contexts depending on the situation.
You can use 存 (cún) in sentences like '我存了很多钱在银行' (Wǒ cúnle hěn duō qián zài yínháng), which means 'I have deposited a lot of money in the bank.' It can also be used in phrases like '存活' (cúnhuó) meaning 'to survive.'
存 (cún) means 'to exist' or 'to store.' It can also refer to depositing money in a bank or keeping something safe. This character is commonly used in various contexts related to existence and preservation.
In banking, 存 refers to depositing money into an account, emphasizing the act of saving.
Yes, 存 can be used to refer to the act of storing food, as in keeping it for later use.
Yes, 存 is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, especially in contexts related to existence or preservation.
