How common it is
称 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say chēng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
称表示叫作、称呼或测量重量。
chēng biǎo shì jiào zuò 、 chēng hu huò cè liáng zhòng liàng。
称 means to call, name, or weigh.
Context note
称常用于名字、评价和测量。
chēng cháng yòng yú míng zì 、 píng jià hé cè liáng。
It is often used with names, evaluation, and measurement.
5 examples
大家称他为老师。
dà jiā chēng tā wèi lǎo shī。
Everyone calls him teacher.
这东西称起来很重。
zhè dōng xī chēng qǐ lái hěn zhòng。
This thing weighs heavy.
他被称为专家。
tā bèi chēng wéi zhuān jiā。
He is called an expert.
请称一下重量。
qǐng chēng yí xià zhòng liàng。
Please weigh it.
她称这是一种进步。
tā chēng zhè shì yì zhǒng jìn bù。
She called this a kind of progress.
5 mini stories
朋友们都称她为小老师。
péng yǒu men dōu chēng tā wèi xiǎo lǎo shī。
Friends all call her little teacher.
称东西之前先放稳。
chēng dōng xī zhī qián xiān fàng wěn。
Before weighing something, place it steadily.
他在书里被称作英雄。
tā zài shū lǐ bèi chēng zuò yīng xióng。
He is called a hero in the book.
妈妈称了称水果的重量。
mā ma chēng le chēng shuǐ guǒ de zhòng liàng。
Mom weighed the fruit.
大家称这次活动很成功。
dà jiā chēng zhè cì huó dòng hěn chéng gōng。
Everyone called this event a success.