绷 (bēng) - Meaning, Stroke Order & Audio

绷

bēng[beng1]Tone 1

to stretch taut

HSK 7

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繃

Multiple Readings (多音字):

Guru Deep Dive

English · to stretch taut

Cached lesson

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Topology:Left-right

Strokes:15

Writing Balance Rule: The left side (thread radical) should be compact and narrower, leaving ample space for the complex right side (朋) to ensure structural equilibrium.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 繃 by using the standard thread radical 纟 instead of 絲, and simplifying the right component 朋 as appropriate.

1. Meaning

to draw tight, stretch taut

to tack with thread or pinembroidery hoop (bound form)woven bed mat (bound form)

VerbNeutral#action#craft#tension

Sample Usage

把绳子绷紧点。
bǎ shéngzi bēng jǐn diǎn.
Pull the rope a bit tighter.
他的脸绷得紧紧的。
tā de liǎn bēng de jǐn jǐn de.
His face was set in a stern, tense expression.

2. Sound

/[pəŋ⁵⁵]/Tone: 55

绷

bēngbeng1

¯(55)

=bēng

Build the syllable

Step-by-step blending

beng

Tone mark placement: Tone mark sits on "e" per main-vowel priority (a > e > o; in -iu/-ui the mark takes the second vowel).

Initial Consonant

Type: Unaspirated Bilabial

Sounds like: b sound like in English 'bed' but unaspirated

Unaspirated

Airflow Tactile Test: No burst of air. A tissue in front of lips should stay still.

Tongue & Mouth Position: Lips pressed tightly together and released gently without a burst of air.

Final Rhyme

eng

Vowel Group: -e vowel group

Sounds like: -eng rhymes with rung or eng in strength

Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'uhng'.

Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.

Tone

T1 (55)

5 → 5 (55)

1st Tone (High-Flat)

Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 1 stays flat and high, similar to singing a sustained high note in speech.

👂

Listening trap: Confusing the nasal ending [-ng] with [-n] or confusing the initial [b-] with [p-]. Remember that [b-] is unaspirated.

👋

Physical Tone Gesture: Tone 1 is a high level horizontal line, like holding a steady musical note at the top of your vocal range.

3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 15 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The left side (thread radical) should be compact and narrower, leaving ample space for the complex right side (朋) to ensure structural equilibrium.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 繃 by using the standard thread radical 纟 instead of 絲, and simplifying the right component 朋 as appropriate.

4. Components

Radical 纟 · Silk / Thread Radical (silk threads, textiles, binding)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 纟 (indicates action related to threads, cords, or stretching fabric)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 朋 (original sound: péng/bēng)

A thread (纟) tied to a companion or framework (朋) is pulled and stretched taut.

纟 Thread / Silk radical
朋 Phonetic and structural component meaning friend/pair

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

9· Phonetic Root: 朋 (péng)

5. History

Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Combined from the silk/thread semantic radical (纟) indicating textile work and binding, and the phonetic component (朋) providing the sound bēng.

Semantic Evolution: Originally referring to stretching cloth or silk tight on a frame for embroidery, it expanded to mean pulling any rope, cord, or surface taut, as well as keeping a rigid facial expression.

Embroidery frames have ancient roots in Chinese craftsmanship, making the silk radical essential for tools of tension.

6. Sinosphere

7. Memory

Vivid Mnemonic Story

You use threads (纟) to tie down your friend (朋) onto a wooden frame, pulling the ropes so taut (bēng) that they bounce like a trampoline!

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

朋

péngfriendPhonetic Core (声旁)

崩

bēngto collapse+ 山 (mountain)

棚

péngshed+ 木 (tree)

鹏

péngPeng, large fabulous bird+ 鸟 (bird)

Explore this family →

Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)

崩(bēng)

Uses the mountain radical (山) instead of silk/thread (纟), meaning to collapse or burst apart rather than stretch taut.

8. Mastery

Active Recall Challenge

请把这根绳子[___]紧。

Clue: bēng

Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing it with 崩 (bēng - to collapse/burst) because they share the same pinyin and tone, ignoring that 绷 deals with threads/tension while 崩 deals with mountains/explosions.

Memory Prompts

Recognition: What does 绷 mean when paired with the silk radical and the sound péng/bēng?

Production: How do you write the character for 'to draw tight / stretch taut' with 15 strokes?

绷bēngto stretch taut

Speed:

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