HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
衡
héng
weight
HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
衡
héng
measure
HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
衡
héng
to measure, to weigh; to consider, to judge
HSK 7, ns, 16 strokes, radical 行, rank #45627, Very Hard
héng(heng2) T2
1to weigh
2weight
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March 24, 2026
衡héng(heng2)
The character 衡 (héng) primarily means 'to weigh' or 'to measure.' It is often used in contexts related to weighing physical objects or figuratively judging or considering different factors. It conveys a sense of balance and assessment.
Strokes16Radical行Frequency#45627DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of weighing not only applies to physical scales but also to moral and ethical considerations, reflecting the importance of balance in life decisions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant scale (衡) where you weigh your options. The horizontal line in the character represents the balance beam, and the two sides represent the items being weighed. This visual can help you remember its meaning of weighing and measuring.
Meanings of 衡
héng(heng2)
1to weigh
2weight
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 衡
衡Simplified
16Strokes
行Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#45627Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 衡
Podcast: 衡
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AI Study Notes for 衡
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant scale (衡) where you weigh your options. The horizontal line in the character represents the balance beam, and the two sides represent the items being weighed. This visual can help you remember its meaning of weighing and measuring.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 衡 with other similar characters for weight, such as 重 (zhòng), which means 'heavy.' It's important to use 衡 in contexts where weighing or assessing is implied, rather than just physical weight. The character is typically used in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 衡 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to Level 3 words like 重 (heavy) and 量 (measure). Focus on recognizing its usage in contexts related to assessment and measurement, which can help expand your vocabulary in practical situations.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of weighing not only applies to physical scales but also to moral and ethical considerations, reflecting the importance of balance in life decisions.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 衡 in casual conversation when a simpler term like 量 would suffice, e.g., saying '我衡这个苹果' instead of '我量这个苹果' (I measure this apple). Always consider the context of weighing versus measuring.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 衡
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Grammar Patterns of 衡
衡 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
关键是你的饮食要多样化，并保持均____。
It is essential that your diet is varied and balanced.
Common Confusions with 衡
衡vs横
héng
Similar shape but different meaning.
衡vs亘
gèn
Similar sound and radical but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to weigh"?
or
Example Sentences for 衡 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
关键是你的饮食要多样化，并保持均衡。
guān jiàn shì nǐ de yǐn shí yào duō yàng huà， ， bìng bǎo chí jūn。
It is essential that your diet is varied and balanced.
2
他仍然是维系该国脆弱的政治平衡的支柱。
tā réng rán shì wéi xì gāi guó cuì ruò de zhèng zhì píng héng de zhī zhù。
He remains the anchor of the country's fragile political balance.
The fact remains that inflation, however you measure it, is unacceptably high.
Cultural Notes for 衡
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of weighing not only applies to physical scales but also to moral and ethical considerations, reflecting the importance of balance in life decisions.
Word Family of 衡
Compounds1
蘅heng2wild ginger; Asarum blumei
Words Containing This Character20
平衡pínghéngbalance
衡量héngliángto weigh
均衡jūnhéngequal
失衡to unbalance
抗衡kànghéngcontend against
不平衡disequilibrium
权衡quánhéngto consider權衡
平衡木beam (gymnastics)
衡héngto weigh
制衡checks and balances
衡阳Hengyang prefecture-level city in Hunan衡陽
衡山Hengshan county in Hengyang 衡陽|衡阳[Héngyáng], Hunan
衡水Hengshui prefecture-level city in Hebei
衡阳市Hengyang prefecture-level city in Hunan衡陽市
权衡利弊to weigh the pros and cons (idiom)權衡利弊
均衡器equalizer (electronics, audio)
张衡Zhang Heng (78-139) great Han dynasty astronomer and mathematician張衡
衡水市Hengshui prefecture-level city in Hebei
动平衡dynamic equilibrium動平衡
度量衡measurement
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蘅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 衡
You can say '我们需要衡量这个决定的利弊' (We need to weigh the pros and cons of this decision).
It's commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese, especially in formal contexts.
Yes, synonyms include 量 (liàng), which means 'to measure' more generally.
