Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
床chuáng(chuang2)
床 (chuáng) refers to a bed or couch, a piece of furniture used for sleeping or resting. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussing home furniture or accommodations. In addition to the physical object, 床 can also be used as a classifier for beds, indicating a specific type or number of beds.
Strokes7Radical广Frequency#516DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the arrangement and type of bed can reflect social status and personal preferences. The concept of a comfortable bed is associated with hospitality, and offering a guest a good bed is a sign of respect.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, comfy bed that looks like a giant ‘C’ (for ‘chuáng’). The two ‘legs’ of the ‘C’ can remind you of the headboard and footboard of a bed. Visualize a cozy night’s sleep on this bed to connect the character’s form with its meaning.
Meanings of 床
chuáng(chuang2)
1bed
2couch
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 床
床Simplified
7Strokes
广Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#516Frequency Rank
张Measure Word
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 床
Podcast: 床
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 床
Quick Contrast
床 (chuáng) vs 座 (zuò) — use 床 for sleeping/resting furniture, while 座 refers to seating furniture such as chairs or benches.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large, comfy bed that looks like a giant ‘C’ (for ‘chuáng’). The two ‘legs’ of the ‘C’ can remind you of the headboard and footboard of a bed. Visualize a cozy night’s sleep on this bed to connect the character’s form with its meaning.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 床 with other furniture words like 椅子 (yǐzi - chair) or 沙发 (shāfā - sofa). Remember that 床 specifically refers to beds, while the other terms denote different types of seating. In informal contexts, you might hear it used more casually among friends when discussing sleeping arrangements.
HSK Study Tips
床 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, but it is a useful word for beginners as it relates to basic everyday vocabulary about home and living. Learners should focus on its usage in phrases and sentences about where people sleep or rest, as this will help reinforce memory.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the arrangement and type of bed can reflect social status and personal preferences. The concept of a comfortable bed is associated with hospitality, and offering a guest a good bed is a sign of respect.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 床 with other furniture terms, leading to sentences like '我坐在床上' ('I sit on the bed'), when they should say '我躺在床上' ('I lie on the bed'). Remember that 床 is primarily for sleeping or resting, not sitting.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 床
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 床 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 床 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 床
床 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 5 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.
Ask your doctor for a referral to a clinical psychologist.
5
她的床收拾得很整洁，衣服也收起来了。
tā de chuáng shōu shí dé hěn zhěng jié， ， yī fú yě shōu qǐ lái。
Her bed was crisply made, her clothes put away.
6
浅海床提供了丰富的食物。
qiǎn hǎi chuáng tí gōng le fēng fù de shí wù。
The shallow sea bed yields up an abundance of food.
7
他终于起床了，头脑一片混沌。
tā zhōng yú qǐ chuáng le， ， tóu nǎo yī piàn hùn。
His mind was in a fog when he finally got up.
8
他起床后穿上了晨衣。
tā qǐ chuáng hòu chuān shàng le chén yī。
He got out of bed and pulled on his bathrobe.
9
他走到床头柜的另一边关了灯。
tā zǒu dào chuáng tóu guì de lìng yī biān guān le dēng。
He crossed to the bedside table and put out the light.
10
我染上了急性风湿，卧病在床。
wǒ rǎn shàng le jí xìng fēng shī， ， wò bìng zài。
I was laid up in bed with acute rheumatism.
Cultural Notes for 床
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the arrangement and type of bed can reflect social status and personal preferences. The concept of a comfortable bed is associated with hospitality, and offering a guest a good bed is a sign of respect.
Word Family of 床
Words Containing This Character20
床chuángbed
临床línchuángclinical臨床
起床qǐchuángto get up
床单chuángdānbed sheet床單
病床bìngchuángsickbed
上床to go to bed
床垫mattress床墊
机床a lathe機床
床头bedhead床頭
床位chuángwèiberth
卧床bed臥床
尿床bed-wetting
床铺bed床鋪
床头柜bedside cabinet床頭櫃
赖床to have a lie-in賴床
河床riverbed
吊床hammock
温床hotbed溫床
矿床(mineral) deposit礦床
铺床to make a bed鋪床
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 床 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 床
床 refers specifically to a bed, while 沙发 refers to a sofa or couch, which is used for sitting.
You can say '我有一张床' (Wǒ yǒu yī zhāng chuáng) which means 'I have a bed.'
Yes, 床 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, such as in discussions about furniture in a home.
