Learn a Chinese Character - 恒 (Héng - Constant; permanent; persistent; unchanging; Enduring; steady; consistent; eternal)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 忄/xīn (heart) + 亘/gèn (continuous)

Stroke Count: 9 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Héng (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: Constant; permanent; persistent; unchanging

Extended Meaning: Enduring; steady; consistent; eternal

Additional Notes: This character emphasizes the quality of remaining unchanged or persistent over time, often with positive connotations.

4. Common Words

• 永恒 (yǒng héng) - Eternal; everlasting

  爱是永恒的主题。(Love is an eternal theme.)

• 恒心 (héng xīn) - Perseverance; persistence

  学习需要恒心。(Learning requires perseverance.)

• 恒定 (héng dìng) - Constant; stable

  这个温度保持恒定。(This temperature remains constant.)

• 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) - Persist in

  做任何事都要持之以恒。(You must persist in doing anything.)

• 恒星 (héng xīng) - Star (astronomy)

  太阳是一颗恒星。(The sun is a star.)

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Adjective, noun

Usage as an Adjective: When used as an adjective, "恒" describes something that is constant or unchanging.

Usage as a Noun: When used as a noun, "恒" refers to the quality of constancy or permanence.

Common Structures:

• 恒 + [Noun]: Constant [noun] (e.g., 恒量 constant quantity)
• [Adverb] + 恒: [Adverb] constant (e.g., 永恒 eternal)
• 恒 + 心: Perseverance (恒心)

Note: "恒" is often used in formal or literary contexts, and is frequently paired with other characters to form compound words.

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the concept of "恒" (constancy) holds significant philosophical importance. It is often associated with virtues such as perseverance, loyalty, and moral integrity.

In Confucian philosophy, "恒" is considered one of the essential qualities for self-cultivation. The Analects of Confucius states: "士不可以不弘毅，任重而道远" (A scholar must be broad-minded and perseverant, for his burden is heavy and the road is long).

Some cultural points:

• The character "恒" appears in many traditional Chinese proverbs emphasizing the value of persistence, such as "水滴石穿，绳锯木断" (Constant dripping wears away the stone; a rope can saw through wood).
• In Chinese calligraphy, writing the character "恒" well is considered a test of skill, as it requires steady hand control.
• The concept of "恒" is also important in traditional Chinese medicine, where maintaining a balanced and constant internal environment is believed to be essential for health.

Today, "恒" continues to be a popular element in Chinese names, symbolizing parents' hopes for their children to have steady and successful lives.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Structure Memory: "恒" is composed of "忄" (heart) and "亘" (continuous). You can remember it as "a heart that remains continuous" or "a persistent heart".
2. Sound Association: The pronunciation "héng" (second tone) is smooth and steady, matching the meaning of constancy.
3. Word Grouping: Group related words together: 永恒 (eternal), 恒心 (perseverance), 恒定 (constant). This helps expand your vocabulary while memorizing the character.
4. Stroke Order Practice: Write the character several times following the correct stroke order to build muscle memory. Pay special attention to the balance between the left and right parts.
5. Context Usage: Use the character in sentences related to constancy, persistence, or stability. Associating words with meaningful contexts improves retention.