Chinese Character: 航
1. Character Basics
Radical: 舟/zhōu (boat)
Stroke Count: 10 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Háng (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: To navigate; to sail; flight
Extended Meaning: Navigation; voyage; flight route
Additional Meaning: Used to describe travel by water or air, or the act of navigating
4. Common Words
- 航行 (háng xíng) - To navigate; to sail
Example: 这艘船正在海上航行。(Zhè sōu chuán zhèngzài hǎi shàng háng xíng.) - This ship is sailing on the sea.
- 航空 (háng kōng) - Aviation; air travel
Example: 他在航空业工作了20年。(Tā zài háng kōng yè gōngzuòle 20 nián.) - He has worked in the aviation industry for 20 years.
- 航海 (háng hǎi) - Navigation; seafaring
Example: 郑和是中国历史上著名的航海家。(Zhèng Hé shì Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng zhùmíng de háng hǎi jiā.) - Zheng He was a famous navigator in Chinese history.
- 航班 (háng bān) - Flight (airplane)
Example: 我们的航班延误了一个小时。(Wǒmen de háng bān yánwùle yī gè xiǎoshí.) - Our flight was delayed by one hour.
- 航线 (háng xiàn) - Route (shipping or air)
Example: 这条航线连接了亚洲和欧洲。(Zhè tiáo háng xiàn liánjiēle Yàzhōu hé Ōuzhōu.) - This route connects Asia and Europe.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
Usage as Noun: Refers to navigation, flight, or a route for travel.
Usage as Verb: Means to navigate, sail, or fly.
Common Structures:
- 航 + 行 (háng xíng) - To navigate/sail
- 航 + 空 (háng kōng) - Aviation
- 航 + 海 (háng hǎi) - Seafaring
- 航 + 班 (háng bān) - Flight (airplane)
- 航 + 线 (háng xiàn) - Route
Note: "航" is often used in compound words related to transportation, especially by water or air. It is rarely used alone in modern Chinese.
6. Cultural Background
The character "航" (háng) has rich cultural significance in Chinese history:
Maritime History: China has a long history of maritime exploration. The character "航" is closely associated with this tradition, particularly with the famous Ming Dynasty explorer Zheng He, who led seven voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and East Africa from 1405 to 1433.
Sailing Culture: In coastal regions of China, sailing has been an important part of life for centuries. The character "航" is often used in proverbs and sayings related to navigation and exploration.
Modern Aviation: With the development of modern aviation, "航" has taken on new meanings related to air travel, becoming a key component in words like 航空 (aviation), 航班 (flight), and 机场 (airport).
Symbol of Exploration: Today, "航" still carries connotations of exploration, adventure, and connection between different cultures and regions.
7. Example Sentence
Sentence 1: 我们计划明年进行一次环球航行。(Wǒmen jìhuà míngnián jìnxíng yī cì huánqiú háng xíng.)
Translation: We plan to go on a round-the-world voyage next year.
Sentence 2: 大雾导致许多航班延误或取消。(Dà wù dǎozhì xǔduō háng bān yánwù huò qǔxiāo.)
Translation: Heavy fog caused many flights to be delayed or canceled.
Sentence 3: 这条航线是连接北京和上海的主要航线之一。(Zhè tiáo háng xiàn shì liánjiē Běijīng hé Shànghǎi de zhǔyào háng xiàn zhī yī.)
Translation: This route is one of the main routes connecting Beijing and Shanghai.
8. Memory Tips
1. Break it down: The character "航" consists of "舟" (boat) on the left and "亢" (high) on the right. Imagine a boat sailing on high seas or a plane flying high in the sky.
2. Create a vivid image: Picture a large ship navigating through waves or an airplane flying through clouds. Connect this image to the character "航" (háng).
3. Stroke order: Practice writing the character following the correct stroke order: left side "舟" first, then right side "亢".
4. Use association: Associate "航" with related words like 航行 (navigate), 航空 (aviation), and 航班 (flight) to reinforce your memory.
5. Remember the pronunciation: "航" (háng) rhymes with "行" (xíng - to go). You can remember that "航行" (háng xíng) means "to navigate" or "to sail".