To lead a melody or initiate a song.
To sing, chant, or vocalize a tune. A mouth (口) producing bright, flourishing sounds (昌).
唱
Common Usage & Traps
- 唱歌 — sing a song
- 唱一首歌 — sing a song
- 爱唱歌 — love to sing
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唱一首音乐唱一首歌音乐 means music in general; for singing a specific song, use 歌.
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唱一个歌唱一首歌The measure word for songs is 首, not 个.
Why is it '唱一首歌' and not '唱一个歌'?
The correct measure word for songs is 首, not 个.
In Chinese, different nouns require specific measure words. For songs, the standard measure word is 首, which is used for poems and songs. Using 个 is a common mistake because it is a general measure word, but it sounds unnatural with 歌.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Measure word | 首 | 个 |
| Example | 唱一首歌 | 唱一个歌 |
| Meaning | sing a song | sing a song (unnatural) |
What is the difference between 唱 and 喝?
唱 means 'to sing', while 喝 means 'to drink'.
Both characters have the mouth radical 口, but their right parts differ. 唱 has 昌 (two suns) and relates to singing; 喝 has 曷 and relates to drinking. They are easily confused because they look similar and both involve the mouth.
| Dimension | 唱 | 喝 |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | sing | drink |
| Pinyin | chàng | hē |
| Example | 唱歌 (sing a song) | 喝水 (drink water) |
Appears in Stories 2 stories
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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因为在那儿可以一边喝茶，一边看表演，看 唱歌 、跳舞什么的。
This simple story introduces you to a family and what each member likes to do. Learn helpful words for food and daily activities as you read about Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and the kids.
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哥哥爱 唱歌 。
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