长城
the Great Wall
HSK level
- Pinyin
- Chángchéng
- Part of speech
- noun
- Level
- HSK 4
- Strokes
- 13
- Register
- neutral
- Measure word
- 座 / 段
Stroke order for 长城
长城 is written with 13 strokes (长: 4, 城: 9). The animation replays automatically.
What does 长城 mean?
长城 (Chángchéng) is 'the Great Wall of China,' the vast series of fortifications built across northern China over many dynasties to defend against invasion.
Literally 'long wall,' it is a proper noun and one of China's most recognized symbols. English speakers should note that in full it is often called 万里长城 (Wànlǐ Chángchéng, 'the ten-thousand-li long wall'), where 万里 conveys immense length rather than a literal measurement. Beyond the monument, 长城 appears figuratively for any strong protective barrier, as in 血肉长城 ('a wall of flesh and blood'), and as a brand name (e.g.
, Great Wall wine and cars). It is neutral in register and common in travel, history, and cultural discussion. Sections most tourists visit include Badaling and Mutianyu near Beijing.
Note: A proper noun, so it is capitalized in pinyin. Neutral in register; appears in tourism, history, and figurative 'defensive barrier' expressions.
Character by character
Memory hook: 长 (long) + 城 (wall): the very long wall — the Great Wall.
Example sentences
我下个月要去爬长城。
Wǒ xià gè yuè yào qù pá Chángchéng.
I'm going to climb the Great Wall next month.
spoken
长城是中国最有名的古迹之一。
Chángchéng shì Zhōngguó zuì yǒumíng de gǔjì zhī yī.
The Great Wall is one of China's most famous historical sites.
neutral
从北京坐车到长城要一个多小时。
Cóng Běijīng zuòchē dào Chángchéng yào yí gè duō xiǎoshí.
It takes over an hour to drive from Beijing to the Great Wall.
neutral
不到长城非好汉。
Bú dào Chángchéng fēi hǎohàn.
You're not a true hero until you've reached the Great Wall. (a famous saying)
written
Common phrases with 长城
Don't confuse 长城 with
FAQ
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