Definition
城 (chéng) can mean either 'city/town' or 'city wall' (the fortress wall around an ancient city). 城市 (chéngshì) is the modern, usual word for 'city,' while 城墙 (chéngqiáng) specifically means the wall itself. In everyday speech, use 城市 for a city; 城 appears in compound words and historical contexts.
noun
citytowncity walls
Measure word · 座, 道, 个
Easily confused
- 盛chénglook-aliketo ladle, to fill (a bowl/plate) with food or liquid
- 成chéngsound-alike(classifier) tenth, ten percent (used after a number 1–9)
- 称chēngsound-aliketo weigh (on a scale)
- 称chēngsound-aliketo weigh
- 撑chēngsound-aliketo support, prop up, or open (an umbrella, etc.)
- 乘chéngsound-aliketo ride (a vehicle), to mount
- 乘chéngsound-aliketo ride; to travel by; to take (a vehicle)
- 呈chéngsound-aliketo submit (to a superior); to formally present
- 秤chèngsound-alikesteelyard; Chinese scale (a balance with a beam and sliding weight)
Examples
- 城。Zhè zuò chéng de lìshǐ hěn cháng.This city has a long history.
- 城，。Gǔdài rén jiàn chéng, bú ràng dírén jìnlái.Ancient people built city walls to keep enemies out.
- 。Wǒ xǐhuan zhù zài yí gè xiǎo chéng lǐ.I like living in a small town.
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