稱 meaning and stroke order
Balanced; name, brand; to say, to call
How to write 稱, stroke by stroke
14 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 稱
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to fit; to match; to suit
- (coll.) to have; to possess
- Taiwan pr. [cheng4]
- to weigh
- to state
- to name
- name
- appellation
- to praise
- old variant of 秤[cheng4]
How 稱 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Grain 禾 measured on a scale 爯; 爯 also provides the pronunciation.
Radical: 禾 (cereal), shared by 66 characters on this site.
How to remember 稱
Picture grain 禾 on the left being weighed on a scale 爯 on the right. Weighing something and giving it a fair value led to the ideas of naming, stating, and praising.
稱 (chēng) is the traditional form, and in mainland simplified writing it appears as 称. It is most common in words about naming and claiming, like 名称 (míngchēng) and 自称 (zìchēng), and it still means to weigh. Example: 他被稱為天才。(Tā bèi chēngwéi tiāncái.) He is called a genius.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 稱 with 秤 (chèng, a scale), since both relate to weighing and both have 禾 on the left. Use 秤 for the scale itself and 稱 (chēng) for the act of weighing or naming.
Common words with 稱
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 名稱 | míngchēng | name (of a thing); name (of an organization) | HSK 2 |
| 稱為 | chēngwéi | to be called; to be known as; to call it "..." | HSK 3 |
| 稱讚 | chēngzàn | to praise; to commend; to compliment | HSK 4 |
| 稱號 | chēnghào | name; term of address | HSK 5 |
| 稱呼 | chēnghu | to call; to address as; form of address; appellation | HSK 7-9 |
| 聲稱 | shēngchēng | to claim; to state | HSK 7-9 |
| 自稱 | zìchēng | to call oneself; to claim to be | HSK 7-9 |
| 宣稱 | xuānchēng | to assert; to claim | HSK 7-9 |
| 簡稱 | jiǎnchēng | to be abbreviated to; abbreviation; short form | HSK 7-9 |
| 稱作 | chēngzuò | to be called; to be known as | HSK 7-9 |
| 對稱 | duìchèn | symmetry; symmetrical | HSK 7-9 |
| 堪稱 | kānchēng | can be rated as; can be said to be | HSK 7-9 |
| 號稱 | hàochēng | to be known as; to be nicknamed; to be purportedly | HSK 7-9 |
| 稱之為 | chēngzhīwéi | to call it...; known as... |
Questions about 稱
How many strokes are in 稱?
稱 is written with 14 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 稱 mean?
稱 (chēng) means balanced; name, brand; to say, to call. A common word with it is 名称 (míngchēng), meaning "name (of a thing); name (of an organization)".
How do you pronounce 稱?
稱 is pronounced chēng, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 稱?
The radical of 稱 is 禾, which carries the idea of "cereal". Dictionaries list 稱 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 稱?
稱 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 称, used in mainland China and Singapore.
When is 稱 read chèn instead of chēng?
It is read chèn when it means to fit or suit, as in 稱心 (chènxīn, to be satisfied) and 對稱 (duìchèn, symmetrical). In Taiwan, 對稱 is often pronounced duìchèng.
What is the difference between 稱呼 and 稱為?
稱呼 (chēnghu) is about how you address a person, like calling someone 老師. 稱為 (chēngwéi) means something is called or known as a certain name, and it is often used in more formal or written contexts.