Meanings of 广
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About 广
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Podcast: 广
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AI Study Notes for 广
宽 (kuān) - use 广 (guǎng) when emphasizing breadth or extent, while 宽 (kuān) focuses more on physical width or spaciousness.
Imagine a vast landscape that stretches out far and wide, symbolizing the meaning of 广. The character itself resembles a roof (representing a house) with wide sides, suggesting spaciousness and openness.
Learners often confuse 广 with similar characters like 宽 (kuān), which also means 'wide' but has a different nuance related to width. It is generally informal, but can be used in formal contexts when discussing geography or architecture. Pay attention to the fourth tone of guǎng to avoid tonal confusion.
While 广 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is beneficial to learn alongside words related to space and size, such as 宽 (kuān) and 大 (dà). Focus on using it in sentences that describe locations or sizes to solidify understanding.
In traditional Chinese architecture, 广 refers to the broadness of buildings, which often symbolize prosperity and openness in design. The concept of space is integral to harmony in Feng Shui, where wide spaces are preferred.
A common mistake is confusing 广 with other characters that have similar meanings, such as 大 (dà) meaning 'big.' For example, saying '这个房子很大' (zhège fángzi hěn dà) instead of '这个房子很广' (zhège fángzi hěn guǎng) when referring to a spacious house can lead to misunderstanding.
Pronunciation of 广
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Etymology of 广
Variant form of 宀 (roof). In simplified Chinese 广 is also used to mean "wide", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 廣.
A lean-to 厂, suggesting a building
Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 广
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Write 广
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Practice writing 广 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 广
广 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. 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.
Complete the Sentence
这趟列车由上海开往____州。
This train runs from Shanghai to Guangzhou.
Example Sentences for 广 (12)
Cultural Notes for 广
In modern Chinese, 广 is often used in expressions related to advertisements, such as 广告 (guǎnggào) meaning 'advertisement'. This highlights the character's association with spreading information widely.
In traditional Chinese architecture, 广 refers to the broadness of buildings, which often symbolize prosperity and openness in design. The concept of space is integral to harmony in Feng Shui, where wide spaces are preferred.
Word Family of 广
Compound Meaning
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Frequently Asked Questions about 广
Synonyms for 广 (guǎng) include 宽 (kuān), which also means wide, and 辽阔 (liáokùo), meaning vast. Each of these words can be used in different contexts to describe expansiveness.