Learn a Chinese Character - 虹 (Hóng - Rainbow; Arch-shaped; colorful arc; something curved like a rainbow)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 虫/chóng (insect/worm) + 工/gōng (work/craft)

Stroke Count: 9 strokes

Stroke Order:

Pinyin: Hóng (Second tone)

Basic Meaning: Rainbow.

Extended Meanings: Arch-shaped; colorful arc; something curved like a rainbow.

Additional Notes: Often used to describe the natural phenomenon of a rainbow, or things with rainbow-like characteristics.

彩虹 (cǎi hóng): Rainbow. Example: 雨后天空出现了一道美丽的彩虹。(A beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky after the rain.)
霓虹 (ní hóng): Neon; neon lights. Example: 城市的霓虹灯照亮了夜空。(The neon lights of the city lit up the night sky.)
虹桥 (hóng qiáo): Rainbow bridge; arched bridge. Example: 这座虹桥连接了河的两岸。(This rainbow bridge connects both banks of the river.)
虹吸 (hóng xī): Siphon. Example: 这个装置利用虹吸原理工作。(This device works using the siphon principle.)
虹光 (hóng guāng): Rainbow light; colorful light. Example: 夕阳的余辉中闪烁着虹光。(Rainbow light flickered in the afterglow of the setting sun.)

Part of Speech: Mainly used as noun; can also be part of compound words.

Common Usage: Often used to refer to the natural phenomenon of a rainbow, or things related to rainbows or arch shapes.

Common Structures:

Notes: In modern usage, often combined with other characters to form compound words.

In Chinese culture, "虹" carries significant cultural connotations:

Natural Symbolism: Considered a beautiful and auspicious natural phenomenon, often seen as a bridge between heaven and earth.
Mythological Significance: In ancient Chinese mythology, the rainbow was sometimes seen as a celestial dragon or a bridge for immortals.
Literary Imagery: Frequently used in poetry and literature to symbolize beauty, hope, and connection between different worlds.
Cultural Expressions: Used in idioms like 气贯长虹 (with great momentum) and 虹销雨霁 (the rainbow disappears and the rain stops).
Modern Context: Continues to be used in art, design, and as a symbol of diversity and inclusivity.

Example 1:

大雨过后，天空中出现了一道绚丽的彩虹。

After the heavy rain, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.

Example 2:

霓虹灯闪烁的商业街非常热闹。

The commercial street with flashing neon lights is very lively.

Example 3:

这座古老的虹桥已经有几百年的历史了。

This ancient rainbow bridge has a history of several hundred years.

1. Structure Memory: Remember "虹" as an insect/worm (虫) with a work/craft (工) component, representing the colorful arc shape.

2. Sound Association: The pronunciation "hóng" sounds like "彩虹" (rainbow), which is the most common word containing this character.

3. Word Grouping: Group words with "虹" that share similar meanings: 彩虹, 霓虹, 虹桥, 虹吸, 虹光.

4. Stroke Order Practice: Focus on the 9 strokes, starting with the insect radical (虫) followed by the right part (工).

5. Context Usage: Use the character in sentences describing rainbows, colorful lights, or arched structures to reinforce memory.