興 meaning and stroke order
To thrive, to prosper, to flourish
How to write 興, stroke by stroke
16 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 興
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- feeling or desire to do sth
- interest in sth
- excitement
- to rise
- to flourish
- to become popular
- to start
- to encourage
- to get up
How 興 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 臼 (mortar), shared by 13 characters on this site.
How to remember 興
興 is built around 臼, a shape like two hands or a mortar at the top, with 八 at the bottom like two legs or supports. Picture hands lifting something up from a strong base, and you get the idea of rising and flourishing.
興 is the traditional form, so you will see it in Taiwan, Hong Kong and older texts, while mainland China writes 兴. It has two readings: xìng for interest or mood, as in 高興 (gāoxìng), and xīng for rising or thriving, as in 興旺 (xīngwàng). Example: 我很高興認識你。(Wǒ hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.) I am very glad to meet you.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up the two tones, saying xīng in 高興 or xìng in 興奮. Remember that 高興, 興趣, 掃興 and 興致 use xìng, while 興奮, 新興 and 興旺 use xīng.
Common words with 興
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 高興 | gāoxìng | happy; glad | HSK 1 |
| 興趣 | xìngqù | interest (desire to know about sth); interest (thing in which one is interested); hobby | HSK 4 |
| 興奮 | xīngfèn | excited; excitement | HSK 4 |
| 感興趣 | gǎn xìngqù | to be interested (in sth) | HSK 4 |
| 新興 | xīnxīng | (of markets, industries, infectious diseases etc) rising; emerging | HSK 6 |
| 興旺 | xīngwàng | prosperous; thriving | HSK 6 |
| 掃興 | sǎoxìng | to spoil things; to dampen spirits; to feel deflated; to be dispirited | HSK 7-9 |
| 興致 | xìngzhì | mood; spirits | HSK 7-9 |
| 興起 | xīngqǐ | to rise; to spring up | HSK 7-9 |
| 復興 | fùxīng | to revive; to rejuvenate | HSK 7-9 |
| 興奮劑 | xīngfènjì | stimulant; doping (in athletics) | HSK 7-9 |
| 興建 | xīngjiàn | to build; to construct | HSK 7-9 |
| 興高采烈 | xìnggāo-cǎiliè | happy and excited (idiom); in high spirits | HSK 7-9 |
| 振興 | zhènxīng | to revive; to revitalize; to invigorate; to re-energize | HSK 7-9 |
Characters that contain 興
Learning 興 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 興
How many strokes are in 興?
興 is written with 16 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 興 mean?
興 (xìng) means to thrive, to prosper, to flourish. A common word with it is 高兴 (gāoxìng), meaning "happy; glad".
How do you pronounce 興?
興 is pronounced xìng, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 興?
The radical of 興 is 臼, which carries the idea of "mortar". Dictionaries list 興 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 興?
興 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 兴, used in mainland China and Singapore.
How do I know whether 興 is read xìng or xīng?
Use xìng when the word is about feelings, interest or mood, like 興趣 (xìngqù). Use xīng when it is about rising, starting or prospering, like 新興 (xīnxīng). 興奮 (xīngfèn) is the main exception to watch for, since it describes a feeling but uses xīng.
How do I say I am interested in something with 興?
Use the pattern 對 + thing + 感興趣 (gǎn xìngqù). For example, 我對中文很感興趣。(Wǒ duì Zhōngwén hěn gǎn xìngqù.) means I am very interested in Chinese.