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荒凉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
荒凉huāngliángdesolateHSK 7, a, rank #17813, Hard
huāngliáng(huang1liang2) T1
  1. 1desolate
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March 24, 2026
荒凉(荒涼)huāngliáng(huang1liang2)

荒凉 (huāngliáng) describes a state of desolation or barrenness, often used to depict landscapes that are empty, lifeless, or devoid of inhabitants. This term can also convey a sense of emotional emptiness or abandonment, making it applicable in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Frequency#17813DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

荒凉 can be used to describe landscapes in Chinese poetry, often reflecting themes of solitude and the passage of time, which are significant in traditional Chinese culture. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past.

Memory Tip

Imagine a vast, empty desert landscape (荒) where nothing thrives, and the wind howls through the desolate (凉) plains, causing a chill. The 'huang' sounds like 'hang,' reminding you that nothing is 'hanging around' in this deserted place.

Meanings of 荒凉

huāngliáng(huang1liang2)
1desolate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 荒凉

荒凉Simplified
荒涼Traditional
Strokes
Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#17813Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 荒凉

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Podcast: 荒凉

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AI Study Notes for 荒凉

Quick Contrast

荒芜 (huāngwú) - use 荒凉 for a sense of desolation that includes emotional emptiness, while 荒芜 emphasizes unproductiveness or lack of cultivation.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a vast, empty desert landscape (荒) where nothing thrives, and the wind howls through the desolate (凉) plains, causing a chill. The 'huang' sounds like 'hang,' reminding you that nothing is 'hanging around' in this deserted place.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. 荒凉 is typically used in formal writing or literary contexts, so it may sound out of place in casual conversation. Common collocations include 荒凉的地方 (desolate place) and 荒凉的心情 (desolate mood).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 荒凉 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to nature, emotion, and description. Focus on using it in sentences that illustrate both physical and emotional desolation to enhance your understanding and usage.

Cultural Note

荒凉 can be used to describe landscapes in Chinese poetry, often reflecting themes of solitude and the passage of time, which are significant in traditional Chinese culture. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 荒凉 with similar-sounding words like 狂澜 (kuánglán, turbulent waves) due to phonetic similarities. Remember that 荒凉 specifically refers to desolation, not turbulence.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 荒凉

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Component Characters

huāngdesolate
HSK 79 strokes
View full entry
liángthe five Liang of the Sixteen Kingdoms, namely: Former Liang 前涼
HSK 410 strokes
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Write 荒凉

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

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Grammar Patterns of 荒凉

荒凉 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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

感觉这就像是天底下最____的地方。

It felt like the loneliest place in the world.

Example Sentences for 荒凉 (4)

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1
感觉这就像是天底下最荒凉的地方。

gǎn jué zhè jiù xiàng shì tiān dǐ xià zuì huāng liáng de dì fāng。

It felt like the loneliest place in the world.
2
我们放眼望去,眼前是一片荒凉的废墟。

wǒ mén fàng yǎn wàng qù, , yǎn qián shì yī piàn huāng liáng de fèi。

We looked out upon a scene of desolation and ruin.
3
大多数岛屿基本上都是一片荒凉、渺无人烟。

dà duō shù dǎo yǔ jī běn shàng dū shì yī piàn huāng liáng、 、 miǎo wú rén。

Many of the islands are mainly wild and underpopulated.
4
沙漠里泛着光,有一种荒凉之美。

shā mò lǐ fàn zháo guāng, , yǒu yī zhǒng huāng liáng zhī。

The desert was luminous, starkly beautiful.

Cultural Notes for 荒凉

🏮Cultural insight

荒凉 can be used to describe landscapes in Chinese poetry, often reflecting themes of solitude and the passage of time, which are significant in traditional Chinese culture. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past.

Frequently Asked Questions about 荒凉

Yes, 荒凉 can express emotional desolation, such as loneliness or abandonment.