How common it is
象征 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say xiàngzhēng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
象征是用一个事物代表另一个事物，通常有特别的意义。
Xiàngzhēng shì yòng yī gè shìwù dàibiǎo lìng yī gè shìwù, tōngcháng yǒu tèbié de yìyì.
Symbolize means to use one thing to represent another, often with special meaning.
Context note
在节日或故事中，很多物品都有象征意义，比如红色象征好运。
Zài jiérì huò gùshì zhōng, hěnduō wùpǐn dōu yǒu xiàngzhēng yìyì, bǐrú hóngsè xiàngzhēng hǎoyùn.
In festivals or stories, many items have symbolic meanings, like red symbolizes good luck.
5 examples
在中国文化中，红色常常象征好运和快乐。
zài zhōng guó wén huà zhōng， hóng sè cháng cháng xiàng zhēng hǎo yùn hé kuài lè。
In Chinese culture, red often symbolizes good luck and happiness.
鸽子象征和平，所以人们喜欢在节日放飞鸽子。
gē zi xiàng zhēng hé píng， suǒ yǐ rén men xǐ huan zài jié rì fàng fēi gē zi。
Doves symbolize peace, so people like to release doves during festivals.
在故事里，星星常常象征希望和梦想。
zài gù shì lǐ， xīng xīng cháng cháng xiàng zhēng xī wàng hé mèng xiǎng。
In stories, stars often symbolize hope and dreams.
学校里的校徽象征我们的团结和荣誉。
xué xiào lǐ de xiào huī xiàng zhēng wǒ men de tuán jié hé róng yù。
The school badge symbolizes our unity and honor.
在生日派对上，蛋糕象征庆祝和分享快乐。
zài shēng rì pài duì shàng， dàn gāo xiàng zhēng qìng zhù hé fēn xiǎng kuài lè。
At birthday parties, cake symbolizes celebration and sharing joy.
5 mini stories
在春节，红色灯笼象征好运。家家户户都挂上红灯笼。
zài chūn jié， hóng sè dēng long xiàng zhēng hǎo yùn。 jiā jiā hù hù dōu guà shàng hóng dēng long。
During Spring Festival, red lanterns symbolize good luck. Every household hangs red lanterns.
在故事里，彩虹象征希望。小兔子看到彩虹后，不再害怕下雨。
zài gù shì lǐ， cǎi hóng xiàng zhēng xī wàng。 xiǎo tù zi kàn dào cǎi hóng hòu， bú zài hài pà xià yǔ。
In the story, a rainbow symbolizes hope. After seeing the rainbow, the little rabbit is no longer afraid of rain.
学校的旗帜象征我们的团结。每天早晨，我们向旗帜敬礼。
xué xiào de qí zhì xiàng zhēng wǒ men de tuán jié。 měi tiān zǎo chén， wǒ men xiàng qí zhì jìng lǐ。
The school flag symbolizes our unity. Every morning, we salute the flag.
在生日时，蜡烛象征成长。小明吹灭蜡烛，许了一个愿望。
zài shēng rì shí， là zhú xiàng zhēng chéng zhǎng。 xiǎo míng chuī miè là zhú， xǔ le yí gè yuàn wàng。
At birthdays, candles symbolize growth. Xiao Ming blew out the candles and made a wish.
在故事里，大树象征坚强。小树苗努力长大，成为一棵大树。
zài gù shì lǐ， dà shù xiàng zhēng jiān qiáng。 xiǎo shù miáo nǔ lì zhǎng dà， chéng wéi yì kē dà shù。
In the story, a big tree symbolizes strength. The little sapling grows hard and becomes a big tree.