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综 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
综zèngheddle (device to form warp in weaving textiles)vn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zèngto sum upvn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zèngTaiwan pr. [zòng]vn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zèngto put togethervn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zèngto sum up; to arrange threads for weavingvn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zèngTaiwan pr. [zong4]unknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zōngheddle (device to form warp in weaving textiles)vn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zōngto sum upvn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zōngTaiwan pr. [zòng]vn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zōngto put togethervn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zōngto sum up; to arrange threads for weavingvn, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
综zōngTaiwan pr. [zong4]unknown, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #43002, Very Hard
zèng(zeng4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1heddle (device to form warp in weaving textiles)
  2. 2to sum up
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
综(綜)zèng(zeng4)

The character 综 (zèng) primarily means 'to sum up' or 'to put together'. It is commonly used in contexts where one needs to summarize information or compile various elements into a cohesive whole, such as in academic or business settings. Additionally, it refers to a heddle, a tool in weaving that helps to arrange threads, linking to the idea of organizing strands in a fabric.

Strokes11Radical纟Frequency#43002DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of summarizing information is highly valued in education and business, reflecting the importance of clarity and effective communication. The use of 综 in formal documents and presentations highlights this cultural emphasis.

Memory Tip

Imagine a weaver named Zeng who meticulously sums up all the threads to create a beautiful tapestry. The character 综 looks like a person (亻) holding together a bundle of threads (糸) — this visual can help you remember both the shape and meaning.

Meanings of 综

zèng(zeng4)
primary
1heddle (device to form warp in weaving textiles)
2to sum up
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 综

综Simplified
綜Traditional
11Strokes
纟Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#43002Frequency Rank

Podcast: 综

JasonAmy

Podcast: 综

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 综

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a weaver named Zeng who meticulously sums up all the threads to create a beautiful tapestry. The character 综 looks like a person (亻) holding together a bundle of threads (糸) — this visual can help you remember both the shape and meaning.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 综 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is more formal and often used in written contexts, such as reports and summaries. Common collocations include 综述 (zòng shù), meaning 'to summarize'.

HSK Study Tips

Although 综 is not currently listed in HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to summarization and organization found in HSK 4 and 5. Students should focus on using it in the context of summarizing ideas or compiling information.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of summarizing information is highly valued in education and business, reflecting the importance of clarity and effective communication. The use of 综 in formal documents and presentations highlights this cultural emphasis.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 综 with similar characters like 总. For instance, using 综 in a sentence meant for 总 can lead to misunderstanding. Always verify the context to choose the right one.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 综

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Etymology of 综

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 宗 represents the sound. Simplified form of 綜.

Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)纟
+
Phonetic (sound)宗
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 综?

Decomposition of 综

IDS Structure⿰纟宗
综Full Character
=
纟si1
left
宗Zong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 综?

Write 综

综

Practice writing 综 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 综

综 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 6 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

____上所述，如果希望交流顺利地进行，需要大家共同努力。

In summary, if we want communication to proceed smoothly, it requires everyone's collective effort.

Example Sentences for 综 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
那故事错综复杂的离奇情节

nà gù shì cuò zōng fù zá de lí qí qíng jié

the bizarre convolutions of the story
2
最后，他们很多荒诞的说法都变得错综复杂了。

zuì hòu， ， tā mén hěn duō huāng dàn de shuō fǎ dū biàn dé cuò zōng fù zá。

In the course of time, many of their myths become entangled.
3
即使在最好的情况下，关系也是错综复杂的。

jí shǐ zài zuì hǎo de qíng kuàng xià， ， guān xì yě shì cuò zōng fù zá。

Relationships are often a tangled web at the best of times.
4
现将我们的几点结论综述如下。

xiàn jiāng wǒ mén de jī diǎn jié lùn zōng shù rú xià。

The following is a summary of our conclusions.
5
综合中学常把学生按能力分班。

zōng hé zhōng xué cháng bǎ xué shēng àn néng lì fēn bān。

Streaming within comprehensive schools is common practice.
6
最后综合各种因素分析了西气东输管道应采用的环焊缝匹配工艺.

zuì hòu zōng hé gè zhǒng yīn sù fēn xī le xī qì dōng shū guǎn dào yīng cǎi yòng de huán hàn féng pǐ pèi gōng yì.

The possible girth weld match procedure for the pipeline is discussed too.
7
这本综合说明书是集若干图片汇合而成的.

zhè běn zōng hé shuō míng shū shì jí ruò gān tú piàn huì hé ér chéng de.

This composite illustration was made by putting together a number of drawings.
8
我有一本情节错综复杂的小说.

wǒ yǒu yī běn qíng jié cuò zōng fù zá de xiǎo shuō.

I have a novel with an intricate plot.
9
七项全能是女子的综合项目。

qī xiàng quán néng shì nǚ zǐ de zōng hé xiàng mù。

The heptathlon is the women's multi event cormpetition.
10
综合性的社区具有比以前更加光明的前景。

zōng hé xìng de shè qū jù yǒu bǐ yǐ qián gēng jiā guāng míng de qián jǐng。

There are much brighter prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.

Cultural Notes for 综

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of summarizing information is highly valued in education and business, reflecting the importance of clarity and effective communication. The use of 综 in formal documents and presentations highlights this cultural emphasis.

Word Family of 综

Words Containing This Character14
综合zōnghécomprehensive綜合
综合症syndrome綜合症
综合征syndrome綜合徵
综zèngto sum up綜
综合性synthesis綜合性
错综复杂cuòzōngfùzátangled and complicated (idiom)錯綜複雜
综艺wide range of performing arts綜藝
综述to sum up綜述
综上所述zōngshàngsuǒshùto summarize綜上所述
综观to take a broad view of sth綜觀
错综intricate錯綜
综合艺术composite arts綜合藝術
综合法synthesis綜合法
综括to summarize綜括
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 综合 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 综

综 focuses more on the act of summarizing or putting together various elements, while 总 (zǒng) often refers to 'overall' or 'total', emphasizing a more general summary.