诵 (sòng) - to recite & to read aloud

诵Tone 4

sòng ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 讠

树檀

诵 · sòng

to recite;

to read aloud;

to chant;

to memorize and repeat

to reciteto read aloudto chant

Usage highlights

recite poetryread aloudmemorize and recitechant scripturesrecitation competitionoral reading

Synonyms

  • 读— to read
  • 念— to read aloud
  • 背— to recite from memory

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The students recited the poem (诵诗).
  • He reads aloud every morning (朗诵).
  • Children often memorize and recite texts (背诵).
  • The monk chanted scriptures (诵经).

Collocations

  • recite poetry(诵诗)
  • read aloud(朗诵)
  • memorize and recite(背诵)
  • chant scriptures(诵经)
  • recitation competition(诵读比赛)
  • oral reading(诵读)

Idioms

  • Recite without understanding(诵而不解)
  • Chant the classics and read the histories(诵经读史)
  • Recite like flowing water(诵如流水)
  • Chant the scriptures and worship Buddha(诵经拜佛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese education, recitation (背诵) was a fundamental method for learning classical texts.
  • Buddhist and Taoist practitioners chant scriptures (诵经) as a form of spiritual practice.
  • The character reflects the importance of oral transmission in Chinese literary tradition.

FAQ