Definitions

chōng (verb) to dash; to rush; to clash; to collide
chōng (verb) to mix with water; to rinse; to flush
chòng (adjective) powerful; vigorous; towards

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of and .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

冲 is the simplified form merging two traditional characters: 沖 and 衝. The first, 沖, combines the water radical 氵 with the phonetic component 中, originally meaning to pour, rinse, or wash away. The second, 衝, places the phonetic element 重 within the radical 行 (a street or crossroads), referring to a thoroughfare or place of heavy traffic, and later to dashing, colliding, or charging. The modern character 冲 uses the ice radical 冫 with 中, unifying the meanings of rushing forward with force and rinsing or washing with fluid.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

了一杯茶。

Wǒ chōng le yī bēi chá.

I made a cup of tea.

进了教室。

Tā chōng jìn le jiàoshì.

He rushed into the classroom.

汽车过了路口。

Qìchē chōng guò le lùkǒu.

The car rushed through the intersection.

洪水走了大桥。

Hóngshuǐ chōng zǒu le dàqiáo.

The flood washed away the bridge.

孩子大声喊。

Tā chòng háizi dàshēng hǎn.

She shouted loudly at the child.

我们必须过这条河。

Wǒmen bìxū chōng guò zhè tiáo hé.

We must charge across this river.

他的勇气破了所有困难。

Tā de yǒngqì chōng pò le suǒyǒu kùnnán.

His courage broke through all difficulties.

这种药需要用温水服。

Zhè zhǒng yào xūyào yòng wēnshuǐ chōngfú.

This medicine needs to be taken with warm water.