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秤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
秤chēngsteelyardHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
秤chēngRoman balanceHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
秤chēng>台[tái]HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
秤chēngbalance, scale; steelyardHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
秤chèngsteelyardHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
秤chèngRoman balanceHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
秤chèng>台[tái]HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
秤chèngbalance, scale; steelyardHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 禾, rank #18293, Hard
chèng(cheng4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1steelyard
  2. 2Roman balance
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
秤chèng(cheng4)

The character 秤 (chēng) refers to a type of balance or scale used for weighing objects. It is commonly associated with traditional methods of measurement, particularly in marketplaces or for specific professions like butchers. The nuance of this term conveys not just the physical device but also the act of weighing and ensuring accuracy in measurements.

Strokes10Radical禾Frequency#18293DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese markets, the use of 秤 is integral to commerce, with vendors often using large, visible scales to attract customers through transparency in their measurements. This reflects a cultural value placed on honesty and fairness in business transactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, ancient balance scale where two sides hang evenly, symbolizing fairness. The left side has a weight labeled 'chēng,' reminding you of its pronunciation. Visualize a merchant carefully weighing goods to maintain trust, connecting the character's shape to its meaning of weighing and balance.

Meanings of 秤

chèng(cheng4)
primary
1steelyard
2Roman balance
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 秤

秤Simplified
10Strokes
禾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18293Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 秤

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Podcast: 秤

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AI Study Notes for 秤

Quick Contrast

称 (chēng) refers to the act of calling or naming, while 秤 (chèng) specifically denotes a physical scale used for weighing.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large, ancient balance scale where two sides hang evenly, symbolizing fairness. The left side has a weight labeled 'chēng,' reminding you of its pronunciation. Visualize a merchant carefully weighing goods to maintain trust, connecting the character's shape to its meaning of weighing and balance.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, 秤 is often found in discussions about trade, cooking, and scientific measurements. A common mistake is confusing it with 稱 (chēng), which means 'to weigh' as a verb. Remember to use 秤 specifically when referring to the scale itself.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 秤 connects to vocabulary related to measurement and trade. Students should focus on its usage in context and learn related terms like 量 (liàng), 'to measure,' and 重 (zhòng), 'heavy,' to build a comprehensive understanding of weighing concepts.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese markets, the use of 秤 is integral to commerce, with vendors often using large, visible scales to attract customers through transparency in their measurements. This reflects a cultural value placed on honesty and fairness in business transactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 秤 with 稱 in sentences. For example, saying '我需要一個稱' (I need a 'to weigh') instead of '我需要一個秤' (I need a scale) is incorrect. Remember that 秤 is the noun for the instrument.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 秤

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Etymology of 秤

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A balance 平 used to measure grain 禾

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 秤?

Decomposition of 秤

IDS Structure⿰禾平
秤Full Character
=
禾he2
left
平Ping2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 秤?

Write 秤

秤

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

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Grammar Patterns of 秤

秤 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

15日新月会移至你对面的天____宫。

The New Moon takes place in your opposite sign of Libra on the 15th.

Example Sentences for 秤 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
15日新月会移至你对面的天秤宫。

15 15 rì xīn yuè huì yí zhì nǐ duì miàn de tiān chèng。

The New Moon takes place in your opposite sign of Libra on the 15th.
2
当谷物在田间茎秤上正在成熟时就蕴藏着一定的危险.

dāng gǔ wù zài tián jiān jīng chèng shàng zhèng zài chéng shú shí jiù yùn cáng zháo yī dìng de wēi xiǎn.

A certain risk is involved when cereal grains are maturing in the field on the stalk.
3
假如他站在用牛顿刻度的秤上, 试问秤的读数是多少?

jiǎ rú tā zhàn zài yòng niú dùn kè dù de chèng shàng, , shì wèn chèng de dú shù shì duō?

If he stands on a balance scale calibrated in newtons , what will the scale read?
4
秤的刻度盘上所标单位是质量的单位, 而不是力的单位.

chèng de kè dù pán shàng suǒ biāo dān wèi shì zhì liáng de dān wèi, , ér bù shì lì de dān.

The units painted on the dial of a scale are often mass units, not force units.
5
实验室的天平与商店里的秤在什么方面有所不同?

shí yàn shì de tiān píng yǔ shāng diàn lǐ de chèng zài shí mó fāng miàn yǒu suǒ bù tóng?

In what way is a laboratory balance different from a balance found in a store?
6
验秤过的商品基本合格,你放心好了.

yàn chèng guò de shāng pǐn jī běn hé gé, , nǐ fàng xīn hǎo.

Don't worry, products that have been checked are basically up to standard.
7
我们应该重新校准一下这个秤的定盘星.

wǒ mén yīng gāi zhòng xīn xiào zhǔn yī xià zhè gè chèng de dìng pán xīng.

We need to reset the weight marks on this steelyard.
8
他们用的是一组平衡秤.

tā mén yòng de shì yī zǔ píng héng chèng.

They used a set of balancing scales to do this.
9
我们需要给这个秤换一根新的秤纽了.

wǒ mén xū yào gěi zhè gè chèng huàn yī gēn xīn de chèng niǔ le.

We need a new lifting cord for the steelyard.
10
这次买回来的白菜,又短秤了.

zhè cì mǎi huí lái de bái cài, , yòu duǎn chèng.

I was given short weight again when I bought the cabbage.

Cultural Notes for 秤

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese markets, the use of 秤 is integral to commerce, with vendors often using large, visible scales to attract customers through transparency in their measurements. This reflects a cultural value placed on honesty and fairness in business transactions.

Word Family of 秤

Words Containing This Character11
秤chèngsteelyard
天秤座Libra (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
秤砣steelyard weight
磅秤scale
杆秤a steelyard (a type of balance)桿秤
弹簧秤spring balance彈簧秤
秤杆a balance arm秤桿
秤盘the tray or pan of a steelyard秤槃
秤锤steelyard weights秤錘
盘秤balance consisting of steelyard with a pan盤秤
秤砣虽小压千斤for want of a nail the battle was lost秤砣雖小壓千斤
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 秤 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 秤

It is pronounced as 'chēng' with a rising tone.