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March 24, 2026
绳(繩)shéng(sheng2)
The character 绳 (shéng) refers to a rope or string, commonly used in contexts involving binding or controlling something. It can also imply the concept of control or restriction in a broader sense, utilized in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes11Radical纟Frequency#5057DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, ropes are often associated with craftsmanship and agriculture, used in various festivals and ceremonies to symbolize connection and stability.
Memory Tip
Think of a long piece of string that you can 'shéng' (pronounced like 'shang') to tie things together. The character's radical 糸 (mì) represents threads and fabrics, which connects to the idea of ropes made from intertwined fibers.
Meanings of 绳
shéng(sheng2)
1rope
2string, rope, cord; to control
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 绳
绳Simplified
繩Traditional
11Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5057Frequency Rank
根Measure Word
Podcast: 绳
Podcast: 绳
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AI Study Notes for 绳
Quick Contrast
绳 (rope) vs 绳索 (rope, often thicker or more specific) — use 绳 for general or thinner ropes, while 绳索 implies a thicker, more robust type.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a long piece of string that you can 'shéng' (pronounced like 'shang') to tie things together. The character's radical 糸 (mì) represents threads and fabrics, which connects to the idea of ropes made from intertwined fibers.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing 绳; it is pronounced with a rising tone (second tone) which can change the meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include '绳子' (shéngzi) for 'rope' and '控制绳' (kòngzhì shéng) for 'control rope.'
HSK Study Tips
While 绳 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can relate to HSK Level 3 words like '线' (xiàn, line), helping students expand their vocabulary around items used for tying or connecting.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, ropes are often associated with craftsmanship and agriculture, used in various festivals and ceremonies to symbolize connection and stability.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 绳 (rope) with 绳子 (string) and use them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我有一绳' instead of '我有一根绳子' is incorrect; you should always use the correct measure word '根' with 绳子.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绳
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Grammar Patterns of 绳
绳 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 2 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他用____子把那个圈围了起来。
He used a rope to mark off the circle.
Common Confusions with 绳
绳vs胜
shèng
Similar shape but different meaning and pronunciation.
绳vs省
shěng
Similar pronunciation but different meaning and radical.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "rope"?
or
Usage Notes for 绳
Mixing up characters with similar shapesCommon Error
Learners often confuse 绳 with similar characters due to their visual resemblance.
1
绳和胜容易混淆。
Rope (绳) and victory (胜) are easily confused.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
____和胜容易混淆。
Rope (绳) and victory (胜) are easily confused.
Example Sentences for 绳 (10)
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1
他用绳子把那个圈围了起来。
tā yòng shéng zǐ bǎ nà gè quān wéi le qǐ lái。
He used a rope to mark off the circle.
2
国王只不过是给了这些政客自缚的绳子。
guó wáng zhī bù guò shì gěi le zhè xiē zhèng kè zì fù de shéng zǐ。
The King has merely given the politicians enough rope to hang themselves.
3
必须将参与这一恶行的凶手绳之以法。
bì xū jiāng cān yǔ zhè yī è háng de xiōng shǒu shéng zhī yǐ fǎ。
The perpetrators of this evil deed must be brought to justice.
4
你应该用绳子围起一大片地方来卖票。
nǐ yīng gāi yòng shéng zǐ wéi qǐ yī dà piàn dì fāng lái mài piào。
You should rope off a big field and sell tickets.
5
跳绳是最有乐趣的有氧健身运动之一。
tiào shéng shì zuì yǒu lè qù de yǒu yǎng jiàn shēn yùn dòng zhī yī。
Skipping is one of the most enjoyable aerobic activities.
Make sure you're properly roped together before you begin to climb.
Cultural Notes for 绳
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, ropes are often associated with craftsmanship and agriculture, used in various festivals and ceremonies to symbolize connection and stability.
Word Family of 绳
Words Containing This Character19
绳子shéngzicord繩子
绳shéngrope繩
绳索rope繩索
绳之以法to bring to justice繩之以法
冲绳Okinawa, Japan沖繩
跳绳to jump rope跳繩
缰绳reins韁繩
缆绳cable纜繩
准绳yardstick準繩
钢丝绳hawser鋼絲繩
绳梯a rope ladder繩梯
冲绳岛Okinawa Island沖繩島
冲绳县Okinawa prefecture, Japan沖繩縣
拧成一股绳(fig.) to unite擰成一股繩
头绳string to tie hair頭繩
绳套noose繩套
线绳string線繩
棕绳rope of palm fiber棕繩
绳墨same as 墨斗繩墨
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 绳子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 绳
You can say '我需要一根绳来绑这个箱子' (Wǒ xūyào yī gēn shéng lái bǎng zhège xiāngzi), meaning 'I need a rope to tie this box.'
绳 refers to thicker ropes or strings, while 线 refers to thinner lines or threads.
Yes, it can be part of phrases indicating control or restraint, although it is less common in idioms than other words.
