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乒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
pīng(onom.) pingn, 6 strokes, radical 丿, rank #34471, Very Hard
pīngbingn, 6 strokes, radical 丿, rank #34471, Very Hard
pīngused with pong for ping pongn, 6 strokes, radical 丿, rank #34471, Very Hard
pīng(ping1) T1
  1. 1(onom.) ping
  2. 2bing
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
pīng(ping1)

The character 乒 (pīng) is an onomatopoeic term that represents the sound of a ping or a sharp, light impact, commonly associated with the game of table tennis, known as 'ping pong' in English. This character is often used in combination with 乓 (pāng) to refer specifically to the sport itself, highlighting the rapid, bouncing nature of the game.

Strokes6Radical丿Frequency#34471DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, table tennis is often referred to as the 'national sport' and is a significant part of the country's culture, with many schools incorporating it into physical education. The popularity of this sport is reflected in the frequent use of 乒 in everyday conversations about leisure activities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small ball bouncing off a table, making a 'ping' sound every time it hits the surface. The character 乒 resembles a ball being struck, and the 'pīng' sound mimics the noise made during a game of table tennis.

Meanings of 乒

pīng(ping1)
1(onom.) ping
2bing
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 乒

Simplified
6Strokes
丿Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#34471Frequency Rank

Podcast: 乒

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 乒

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a small ball bouncing off a table, making a 'ping' sound every time it hits the surface. The character 乒 resembles a ball being struck, and the 'pīng' sound mimics the noise made during a game of table tennis.

Usage Notes

When using 乒, it is important to remember that it is usually paired with 乓 to refer to the sport of table tennis. Common mistakes include using it in contexts unrelated to sports or failing to recognize that it is primarily onomatopoeic. The tone is critical; saying 'ping' without the correct tone might confuse listeners.

HSK Study Tips

Although 乒 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it can be useful for students interested in sports vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing the sound associations and how it pairs with 乓 in the context of table tennis, a popular sport in China.

Cultural Note

In China, table tennis is often referred to as the 'national sport' and is a significant part of the country's culture, with many schools incorporating it into physical education. The popularity of this sport is reflected in the frequent use of 乒 in everyday conversations about leisure activities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 乒 in contexts unrelated to sports, such as trying to describe other types of sounds. Remember to use it only in relation to table tennis, e.g., saying '乒乓球' (pīng pāng qiú) for table tennis.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 乒

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Etymology of 乒

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

A ball bouncing back and forth; compare 乓

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 乒?

Decomposition of 乒

IDS Structure⿱丘丿
Full Character
=
Qiu1
top
丿pie3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 乒?

Write 乒

Practice writing 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 乒

乒 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 3 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 1

Complete the Sentence

他推着手推车____乒乓乓地过了几道门.

He crashed the handtruck through the doors.

Common Confusions with 乒

vs
píng

Similar pronunciation but different meaning.

vs
pīn

Similar pronunciation and related meanings in context.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "(onom.) ping"?

or

Example Sentences for 乒 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他推着手推车乒乒乓乓地过了几道门.

tā tuī zháo shǒu tuī chē pīng pīng pāng pāng dì guò le jī dào mén.

He crashed the handtruck through the doors.

Cultural Notes for 乒

🏮Cultural insight

In China, table tennis is often referred to as the 'national sport' and is a significant part of the country's culture, with many schools incorporating it into physical education. The popularity of this sport is reflected in the frequent use of 乒 in everyday conversations about leisure activities.

Word Family of 乒

Words Containing This Character5
乒乓球pīngpāngqiútable tennis
乒乓ping-pong
pīngbing
乒乓球拍ping-pong paddle
乒乓球台table-tennis table乒乓球檯
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 乒乓球 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 乒

Onomatopoeic words like 乒 are significant in Chinese as they add expressiveness and vividness to the language. They often describe sounds or actions in a way that is relatable and engaging for learners. Such words can enhance understanding of cultural references, especially in sports and music.