Chinese Character: 红
1. Character Basics
Radical: 纟/糸/sī (silk/thread) + 工/gōng (work/craft)
Stroke Count: 6 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Hóng (Second tone), Gōng (First tone) - Multiple pronunciations
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning (Hóng): Red; scarlet; crimson; blush
Basic Meaning (Gōng): Used in some ancient Chinese names or terms
Extended Meanings: Revolutionary; lucky; popular; prosperous; honorary
Additional Notes: "红" is one of the most culturally significant colors in Chinese culture, often associated with good fortune, joy, and celebration.
4. Common Words
- 红色 (hóng sè) - Red color
Example: 我最喜欢的颜色是红色。(My favorite color is red.) - 红旗 (hóng qí) - Red flag
Example: 五星红旗是中国的国旗。(The Five-Star Red Flag is China's national flag.) - 红包 (hóng bāo) - Red envelope (with money as a gift)
Example: 春节时，长辈会给晚辈发红包。(During Spring Festival, elders give red envelopes to younger generations.) - 红军 (hóng jūn) - Red Army (Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army)
Example: 红军长征是中国革命史上的重要事件。(The Long March of the Red Army was an important event in Chinese revolutionary history.) - 走红 (zǒu hóng) - Become popular; be in vogue
Example: 这首歌最近很走红。(This song has become very popular recently.)
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Adjective, noun, verb
Usage:
- As adjective: Describing the color red or things related to red
- As noun: Referring to the color red itself or things associated with red
- As verb: Meaning to become popular or turn red
Common Structures:
- 红 + 名词: 红花 (red flower), 红叶 (red leaf)
- 名词 + 红: 粉红 (pink), 鲜红 (bright red)
- 动词 + 红: 染红 (dye red), 变红 (turn red)
- 红 + 补语: 红得发亮 (shining red), 红透了 (completely red)
Notes: "红" has many idiomatic uses and cultural connotations beyond its basic color meaning.
6. Cultural Background
The character "红" holds profound cultural significance in China:
- Symbol of Luck and Happiness: Red is the color of joy, celebration, and good fortune in Chinese culture. It's widely used in weddings, festivals, and important ceremonies.
- Cultural Traditions: Red envelopes (红包), red lanterns, and red couplets are essential elements of Chinese New Year and other traditional festivals.
- Historical and Political Significance: "红" is associated with the Chinese Communist Revolution and socialist movements.
- Literary Symbolism: In Chinese literature, "红" often symbolizes beauty, passion, and vitality.
- Modern Usage: Today, "红" is still widely used in various contexts, from branding to popular culture, maintaining its positive connotations.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
中文字：她穿着一件红色的连衣裙。
Pinyin：Tā chuān zhe yī jiàn hóng sè de lián yī qún.
English：She is wearing a red dress.
Example 2:
中文字：春节期间，到处都是红色的装饰。
Pinyin：Chūn jié qī jiān, dào chù dōu shì hóng sè de zhuāng shì.
English：During Spring Festival, there are red decorations everywhere.
Example 3:
中文字：这位歌手最近很走红。
Pinyin：Zhè wèi gē shǒu zuì jìn hěn zǒu hóng.
English：This singer has become very popular recently.
8. Memory Tips
Memory Techniques:
- Structure Memory: The character consists of 纟 (sī, silk/thread) and 工 (gōng, work/craft), originally referring to red-dyed silk fabric.
- Color Association: Visualize the color red whenever you see or write this character to reinforce its meaning.
- Cultural Connection: Associate "红" with Chinese cultural elements like red lanterns, red envelopes, or the national flag.
- Stroke Order Practice: Practice writing the character following the correct stroke order (6 strokes total). This will help with muscle memory.
- Word Formation: Learn common words with "红" to understand its various usages and contexts.