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March 24, 2026
唱chàng(chang4)
The character 唱 (chàng) primarily means 'to sing.' It is often used in contexts related to music, performance, or expressing oneself vocally. Additionally, it can imply calling out loudly or chanting, frequently associated with group activities or ceremonies.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#536DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
Singing plays a vital role in Chinese culture, from traditional operas to modern pop music. The practice of singing during festivals or gatherings is a common way to express joy and unity.
Memory Tip
Think of 唱 (chàng) as a person singing with their mouth wide open (口) under a bright sun (日) representing joy. Imagine them calling out a beautiful song that resonates in the air, making it easy to remember both the pronunciation and the meaning.
Meanings of 唱
chàng(chang4)
1to sing
2to call loudly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 唱
唱Simplified
11Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#536Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 唱
Podcast: 唱
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AI Study Notes for 唱
Quick Contrast
唱 (chàng) vs 唱歌 (chànggē) — use 唱 when referring to the action of singing in general, and 唱歌 when specifically talking about singing songs.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 唱 (chàng) as a person singing with their mouth wide open (口) under a bright sun (日) representing joy. Imagine them calling out a beautiful song that resonates in the air, making it easy to remember both the pronunciation and the meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 唱 with other similar-sounding verbs like 唠 (láo) which means 'to chat.' This verb is informal, and while it can be used in casual contexts, it also fits formal settings like concerts. Common collocations include 唱歌 (chànggē, to sing a song) and 唱戏 (chàngxì, to perform opera).
HSK Study Tips
While not specifically categorized in the HSK, 唱 is relevant for learners at HSK 2 and above, especially when discussing hobbies or interests. Focus on using it in combination with other vocabulary related to music and performance.
Cultural Note
Singing plays a vital role in Chinese culture, from traditional operas to modern pop music. The practice of singing during festivals or gatherings is a common way to express joy and unity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 唱 with other similar verbs. For instance, saying '我唱音乐' (Wǒ chàng yīnyuè) is incorrect; instead, use '我听音乐' (Wǒ tīng yīnyuè) which means 'I listen to music.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 唱
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Grammar Patterns of 唱
唱 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 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.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make a rock record.
6
迎接他的是大家齐唱《祝你生日快乐》，令他非常感动。
yíng jiē tā de shì dà jiā qí chàng《 《 zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài》， lè 》， líng tā fēi cháng。
He was greeted with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
7
喝下午茶的时候，维多利亚与其夫君艾伯特亲王表演了二重唱。
hē xià wǔ chá de shí hòu， ， wéi duō lì yà yǔ qí fū jūn ài bó tè qīn wáng biǎo yǎn le èr zhòng。
At tea-time, Victoria sang duets with her Consort, Prince Albert.
8
为了灌制这张唱片你们大家似乎都经历了重重波折。
wéi le guàn zhì zhè zhāng chàng piàn nǐ mén dà jiā sì hū dū jīng lì le zhòng zhòng bō zhē。
All of you seem to have gone through hell making this record.
9
这也是她唱片生涯的开始。
zhè yě shì tā chàng piàn shēng yá de kāi shǐ。
This was also the beginning of her recording career.
10
这两张唱片还包含了布里顿两首不甚知名的声乐套曲。
zhè liǎng zhāng chàng piàn huán bāo hán le bù lǐ dùn liǎng shǒu bù shèn zhī míng de shēng lè tào qū。
The two discs also contain two of Britten's lesser-known song-cycles.
Cultural Notes for 唱
🏮Cultural insight
Singing plays a vital role in Chinese culture, from traditional operas to modern pop music. The practice of singing during festivals or gatherings is a common way to express joy and unity.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, singing is often seen as a personal or private expression, while in Chinese culture, it is frequently a communal activity enjoyed in larger groups during celebrations.
Word Family of 唱
Words Containing This Character20
唱chàngto sing
唱歌chànggēto sing a song
演唱会yǎnchànghuìvocal recital or concert演唱會
演唱yǎnchàngsung performance
唱片chàngpiànLP
歌唱gēchàngto sing
合唱héchàngchorus
说唱(music) rapping說唱
合唱团chorus合唱團
独唱dúchàngto solo獨唱
歌唱家singer
高唱to sing loudly
唱票to read ballot slips out loud
唱腔aria
大合唱cantata
吟唱to chant
对唱in duet對唱
清唱to sing opera music (without staging or make up)
唱反调to express a different view唱反調
唱机gramophone唱機
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 唱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 唱
唱 (chàng) means 'to sing' in general, while 唱歌 (chànggē) specifically means 'to sing a song.'
Yes, 唱 can refer to any form of singing, but it's often used in informal contexts.
You can say '我喜欢唱歌' (Wǒ xǐhuān chànggē), meaning 'I like to sing songs.'
