丞 meaning and stroke order
To aid, to assist, to rescue
How to write 丞, stroke by stroke
6 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Meaning of 丞
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- deputy
How 丞 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. One.
一 gives the meaning and 氶 hints at the sound.
Radical: 一 (one), shared by 34 characters on this site.
How to remember 丞
丞 (chéng) sits on a flat line 一 with 氶 on top. 氶 gives the sound and 一 is the meaning part, so picture a deputy standing on one solid base, ready to hold up and assist the ruler above.
Today 丞 mostly appears in historical titles for deputies and officials, above all 丞相 (chéngxiàng), the chief minister of imperial China. Example: 诸葛亮是蜀国的丞相。(Zhūgě Liàng shì Shǔguó de chéngxiàng.) Zhuge Liang was the chancellor of the Shu kingdom.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 丞 with 承 (chéng, to bear, to undertake). The two share the same sound and look alike, but 承 has extra horizontal strokes in the middle. 丞相 is never written 承相.
Common words with 丞
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 丞相 | chéngxiàng | the most senior minister of many kingdoms or dynasties (with varying roles); prime ministe |
Characters that contain 丞
Learning 丞 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 丞
How many strokes are in 丞?
丞 is written with 6 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 丞 mean?
丞 (chéng) means to aid, to assist, to rescue. A common word with it is 丞相 (chéngxiàng), meaning "the most senior minister of many kingdoms or dynasties (with varying roles); prime ministe".
How do you pronounce 丞?
丞 is pronounced chéng, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 丞?
The radical of 丞 is 一, which carries the idea of "one". Dictionaries list 丞 under this radical.
Is 丞 used in modern everyday Chinese?
Not much. You will see it mainly in history books, TV dramas about ancient China, and the word 丞相. Modern words for assisting use other characters, such as 帮 (bāng) or 助 (zhù).
What is the difference between 丞相 and 宰相?
Both refer to a top minister in imperial China. 丞相 was an official title in certain dynasties. 宰相 (zǎixiàng) is a broader, general term for the chief minister role.