Character: 中 (zhōng) center

中 (zhōng) means center, the character is visualized as as transparent yellow line going through the center of a red rectangle
Pinyin zhōng ; zhòng
Meaning zhōng: center; middle; while; within; among; in
zhòng: to hit (a target); to suffer; to win
Radical 丨 繁體字 same
n/a
Chinese character ideographcategory: ideograph

Chinese character single structurestructure: single

4stroke count

HSK 1

Stroke order of the Chinese character 中 (zhōng) center. There are 4 strokes, and the character is written with the center first, then the vertical stroke

Breakdown

中 (zhōng) “center” is formed by a vertical stroke and a rectangle. The vertical stroke works as an indicator, going through the middle of the rectangle.

Used as a component

中 (zhōng) “center” can be used as a component, and it mostly plays a phonetic role.

zhōng
中
center		 chōng
冲
to rush		 zhōng
钟
clock		 zhǒng
种
to plant

Used as a morpheme/word

中 primarily means “center” and is pronounced using the first tone, (zhōng). However, it is mostly used as a morpheme. When 中 is used as (zhòng) “to hit (a target),” it can stand alone as a word.

Wordlist

How to pronounce

To pronounce this character, say “Jung” with unrounded lips, then move the tip of your tongue backward while it is touching the roof. Once you can feel the “slope,” stop right there, hold still, and say “Jung” again.

1st/4th Pinyin Yale IPA
Initial zh- j [tʂ]
Final -ong ung [ʊŋ]

Chinese character practice sheet

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