Chinese Character: 江
1. Character Basics
Radical: 氵/shuǐ radical (三点水)
Stroke Count: 6
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiāng (first tone)
3. Meaning
river
4. Common Words
- 江南 (jiāng nán) - south of the Yangtze River
- 长江 (cháng jiāng) - Yangtze River
- 江山 (jiāng shān) - rivers and mountains, country, territory
- 江河 (jiāng hé) - rivers
- 江畔 (jiāng pàn) - riverside
- 江豚 (jiāng tún) - Yangtze finless porpoise
5. Grammar & Usage
江 is primarily used as a noun to refer to rivers, especially large rivers. It is often used in geographical names, such as 长江 (Cháng Jiāng, Yangtze River) and 珠江 (Zhū Jiāng, Pearl River).
The character 江 can also be used metaphorically to refer to a country or territory, as in 江山 (jiāng shān). In this sense, it implies the natural beauty and sovereignty of a nation.
In classical Chinese poetry, 江 is a common imagery used to evoke feelings of vastness, time passing, or nostalgia. Many famous poems feature rivers as a central element.
When combined with other characters, 江 can form various compound words related to rivers and their surroundings, such as 江畔 (jiāng pàn) meaning "riverside" and 江水 (jiāng shuǐ) meaning "river water"
6. Cultural Background
The character 江 has deep cultural significance in China, particularly associated with the Yangtze River, which is often referred to as 长江 (Cháng Jiāng). The Yangtze River is not only the longest river in China but also a cradle of Chinese civilization.
Throughout Chinese history, the Yangtze River has played a crucial role in the development of agriculture, transportation, and trade. Many ancient cultures, such as the Liangzhu and Sanxingdui civilizations, developed along its banks.
The phrase 江南 (jiāng nán, south of the Yangtze River) evokes images of a region known for its beautiful scenery, rich culture, and economic prosperity. This area has been celebrated in countless poems, paintings, and stories.
Today, the Yangtze River continues to be a vital part of China's economy and culture, with major cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, and Wuhan located along its course. The character 江 remains an important symbol of China's natural and cultural heritage.
7. Example Sentence
句子 (jù zi): 长江是中国最长的河流。
Pronunciation (pīn yīn): Cháng Jiāng shì Zhōng guó zuì cháng de hé liú.
Translation (fān yì): The Yangtze River is the longest river in China.
8. Memory Tips
The character 江 consists of two parts: 氵 (shuǐ, water) on the left and 工 (gōng, work) on the right. You can remember it by thinking of "water (氵) that works (工) its way through the land", which relates to its meaning of "river".
Another way to remember: 江 sounds like "jiāng" and is often associated with the famous Yangtze River, which is called 长江 (Cháng Jiāng) in Chinese. Visualizing this mighty river can help you remember the character.
The radical 氵 (water) on the left of the character indicates that it is related to water, which fits with its meaning of "river". The right part 工 (work) can remind you of how rivers work to shape the landscape over time.