Learn a Chinese Character - 贡

1. Character Basics

Radical: 贝 (bèi, shell/money, indicates related to wealth or valuable items)

Stroke Count: 7

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Gòng (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Core Meaning: To offer; to present (tribute); contribution; to pay (taxes); to give as a gift

The character "贡" originally referred to offerings made to rulers or deities, often in the form of valuable goods or agricultural products. Today it maintains its connection to the concept of giving, contributing, or presenting something of value.

4. Common Words

• 贡献 (gòng xiàn) - Contribution

  每个人都应该为社会做出贡献。
  Everyone should make contributions to society.

• 贡品 (gòng pǐn) - Tribute goods

  古代皇帝会接受来自各地的贡品。
  Ancient emperors would receive tribute goods from all regions.

• 进贡 (jìn gòng) - To pay tribute

  那个国家每年都要向强大的邻国进贡。
  That country had to pay tribute to its powerful neighbor every year.

• 贡酒 (gòng jiǔ) - Tribute wine

  这是我们特意为贵宾准备的贡酒。
  This is the tribute wine we specially prepared for our distinguished guests.

• 贡院 (gòng yuàn) - Imperial examination hall

  中国许多城市都保留着古代的贡院建筑。
  Many cities in China preserve ancient imperial examination hall buildings.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Mainly used as a verb or noun

Usage Patterns:

• As a verb: 贡 + object (to offer/present something)

  向国家贡税 (xiàng guó jiā gòng shuì) - To pay taxes to the state

• As a noun: Can indicate tribute, contribution, or offerings

  缴纳贡赋 (jiǎo nà gòng fù) - To pay tribute and taxes

• Common collocations:
  • 贡献力量 (gòng xiàn lì liàng) - To contribute strength/efforts
  • 贡献智慧 (gòng xiàn zhì huì) - To contribute wisdom
  • 贡米 (gòng mǐ) - Tribute rice (high-quality rice paid as tax in ancient times)
  • 贡茶 (gòng chá) - Tribute tea (high-quality tea paid as tax in ancient times)

6. Cultural Background

The character "贡" has deep cultural roots in Chinese history, particularly in the context of governance and social hierarchy. In ancient China, the tribute system was a crucial part of relations between the central government and vassal states or regions.

Key cultural significance:

• Political hierarchy: The tribute system reinforced the emperor's position as the "Son of Heaven" and the supremacy of the Central Plains culture.
• Economic exchange: Tribute missions facilitated trade and cultural exchange between different regions.
• Social values: The concept of "贡献" (gòng xiàn, contribution) reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on collective responsibility and giving back to society.
• Historical legacy: Many historical sites related to tribute collection or imperial examinations (which used "贡院" gòng yuàn) can still be seen today.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

How to remember "贡" (gòng):

1. Component breakdown: The character consists of 工 (gōng, work) on top and 贝 (bèi, shell/money) on bottom. You can remember it as "work related to valuable items" or "working to provide valuable contributions."
2. Visual association: Imagine someone working hard to create valuable items to offer as tribute to a ruler.
3. Mnemonic phrase: "工作献宝贝" (gōng zuò xiàn bǎo bèi) - "Working to offer precious treasures." This combines the components and the meaning.
4. Related words: Practice writing and using the common words like 贡献 (gòng xiàn) and 贡品 (gòng pǐn) to reinforce your memory of the character.