弘 meaning and stroke order
To enlarge, to expand; liberal, great
How to write 弘, stroke by stroke
5 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
Meaning of 弘
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- great
- liberal
How 弘 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 弓 (bow), shared by 29 characters on this site.
How to remember 弘
弘 puts a bow 弓 (gōng) next to 厶. Picture a bow drawn wide open, stretching outward, to remember that 弘 means to expand or make great.
弘 is mostly a formal, written character. It appears in set words like 弘扬 (hóngyáng) and in personal names. Example: 弘扬传统文化 (hóngyáng chuántǒng wénhuà) to promote traditional culture.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 弘 with 强 (qiáng, strong), which also starts with 弓 but has more on the right side. Another trap is writing 宏 (hóng, grand) when 弘 is needed. The standard spelling is 弘扬, not 宏扬.
Common words with 弘
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 弘扬 | hóngyáng | to enhance; to promote | HSK 7-9 |
弘 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 弘
How many strokes are in 弘?
弘 is written with 5 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 弘 mean?
弘 (hóng) means to enlarge, to expand; liberal, great. A common word with it is 弘扬 (hóngyáng), meaning "to enhance; to promote".
How do you pronounce 弘?
弘 is pronounced hóng, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 弘?
The radical of 弘 is 弓, which carries the idea of "bow". Dictionaries list 弘 under this radical.
Is 弘 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 弘 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 弘 and 宏?
Both are read hóng and relate to greatness. 宏 usually describes something grand or vast, as in 宏伟 (hóngwěi, magnificent). 弘 leans toward spreading or enlarging something, as in 弘扬.
Can 弘 be used on its own in everyday speech?
Rarely. In modern Chinese it almost always appears inside fixed words like 弘扬 or in names, not as a standalone word in conversation.