长 Stroke Order — How to Write 长
长 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 长, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
长 Radical and Character Components
Partial breakdown of 长:一
长 is an ideographic compound. Simplified form of 長; an old man with long hair and a cane.
Radical: 长 + 0 more strokes
长 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- cháng
- zhǎng
Meanings of 长 in Chinese
1
cháng长
Distance between two ends; length.
这条绳子有多长？
How long is this rope?
Referring to great length, either in space or time; also used in idioms to describe ambition or courage, like 'riding the wind and breaking the waves'.
我们应该有长风破浪的决心，去追求自己的梦想。
We should have the determination to ride the wind and break the waves, to pursue our own dreams.
Strengths, specialties, or strong points.
每个人都有自己的特长。
Everyone has their own strengths.
to be good at; to excel in
她长于乐器。
She excels at musical instruments.
2
zhǎng长
To grow; to develop (e.g., to develop a sore, to grow taller, to learn a lesson).
他这次摔了一跤，总算长了记性
He fell this time, and finally learned his lesson.
to increase; to grow (e.g., knowledge, experience, skills)
通过实践，她长了很多经验。
Through practice, she gained a lot of experience.
Eldest; first in rank or seniority (e.g., eldest son, eldest brother).
我的长子今年已经上大学了。
My eldest son has already gone to university this year.
refers to someone who is senior in age or status, such as an elder or head of a family.
我们应该尊敬长辈。
We should respect our elders.
leader; person in charge; head of a department or institution (e.g., minister, principal)
校长宣布了新的规定
The principal announced the new regulations.
Common Words and Phrases with 长
1
Chang'an was an ancient capital city of China, notably during the Western Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties, located in present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi province.
长安曾是丝绸之路的起点，见证了无数商贾和学者的往来。
Chang'an was once the starting point of the Silk Road, witnessing the comings and goings of countless merchants and scholars.
2
Changbai Mountain (Chángbái Shān), literally "Perpetually White Mountain," is a major mountain range on the border between northeastern China and North Korea, renowned for its highest peak, Baekdu Mountain, and its crater lake, Heaven Lake, which is China's deepest lake. It is also an important forest region known for ginseng, mink fur, and antlers.
今年夏天，我们计划去长白山旅游，欣赏那里的自然风光和天池的壮丽景色。
This summer, we plan to travel to the Changbai Mountains to enjoy its natural scenery and the magnificent view of Tianchi (Heaven Lake).
3
a footman or retainer; a servant always at the beck and call of an official.
那位老员外出行时，总有几个长班随侍左右，照顾他的日常所需。
When that old squire traveled, he always had several personal attendants by his side, attending to his daily needs.
4
5
To gain weight or fat, especially referring to livestock.
天气转凉了，动物们开始长膘为过冬做准备
As the weather turns colder, animals start to put on fat to prepare for winter.
6
Long wave refers to radio waves typically 10-1000 meters in wavelength (30-300 kHz frequency), used for radio communication and navigation. It can also refer to long, rolling ocean waves.
许多船只利用长波信号进行海上导航。
Many ships use longwave signals for marine navigation.
7
A long-term strategy or policy; a comprehensive plan with lasting effects.
企业发展需要有长策，不能只看短期利益。
Enterprise development requires a long-term strategy, not just focusing on short-term gains.
8
The Great Wall, an ancient defensive fortification in China, recognized as a major historical relic and a symbol of the Chinese nation.
在秋高气爽的日子里，许多游客选择攀登长城，欣赏壮丽的景色。
On crisp autumn days, many tourists choose to climb the Great Wall to enjoy the magnificent scenery.
9
A dialectal term for snake.
夏天的晚上，我有时会在院子里看到一条长虫爬过。
On summer evenings, I sometimes see a snake crawling in the yard.
10
11
long river; constantly
远处的山峦与长川交织，构成一幅宁静的画卷
The distant mountains and ever-flowing river intertwine, forming a tranquil picture.
12
Changchun is a city in Northeast China and the capital of Jilin Province.
我计划下个月去长春旅游，听说那里有很多美丽的公园和历史建筑。
I plan to travel to Changchun next month. I hear there are many beautiful parks and historical buildings there.
13
If things continue this way; if this situation persists (often implying negative consequences).
他总是熬夜打游戏，长此以往，身体肯定会吃不消的。
He always stays up late playing video games. If this continues for a long time, his body will definitely not be able to handle it.
14
To last forever; to be eternal.
这份珍贵的友谊将长存我们心中。
This precious friendship will forever remain in our hearts.
15
to grow up; to mature
他从小就比同龄人高，大家都说他长大后会是个高个子。
He has been taller than his peers since childhood; everyone says he will be a tall person when he grows up.
More words with 长
- bān班zhǎng长Class monitor or squad leader.
- cūn村zhǎng长Village head or chief of a village.
- duì队zhǎng长Captain
- zú族zhǎng长Clan leader; head of a clan
- bì臂cháng长arm length
- bù部zhǎng长Minister
- chǎng厂zhǎng长factory director
- cì次zhǎng长Vice-minister
- gǔ股zhǎng长section chief
- jūn君zhǎng长monarch or tribal leader
- qí颀cháng长Tall and slender; lithe.
- qiú酋zhǎng长Chief, Chieftain
- shòu瘦cháng长long and thin; lanky
- zhàn站zhǎng长Webmaster, Station master
- zhuó茁zhǎng长to grow vigorously; to luxuriate
- zī滋zhǎng长grow, spread
- shàn擅cháng长good at, skilled in
- yōu悠cháng长long, prolonged
- liè列chē车zhǎng长train conductor
- rǒng冗cháng长lengthy, verbose
Idioms with 长
- cháng长fēng风pò破làng浪ride the wind and break the waves
- cháng长gē歌dàng当kū哭express sorrow through song or poetry
- cháng长huà话duǎn短shuō说To make a long story short
- cháng长jiāng江tiān天qiàn堑Yangtze River, a formidable natural barrier
- cháng长jiāng江tiān天xiǎn险Yangtze River's formidable natural barrier
- cháng长jiǔ久zhī之jì计a long-term plan
- cháng长mián眠bù不qǐ起to be in eternal rest
- cháng长mìng命bǎi百suì岁live a long and healthy life
- cháng长mìng命fù富guì贵long life, wealth, and honor
- cháng长nián年lěi累yuè月for years and months on end
- cháng长piān篇dà大lùn论long-winded discourse
- cháng长piān篇hóng宏lùn论long-winded grand discourse
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Open the tool →Questions about 长
What does 长 mean in Chinese?
长 (cháng) means “Distance between two ends” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 长?
长 has 2 pronunciations: cháng, zhǎng.
How many strokes does 长 have?
长 has 4 strokes.
How do you write 长?
长 is written in 4 strokes, starting from the radical 长. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 长?
The radical of 长 is 长, and 长 is an ideographic compound.
