横
héng
horizontal, across
At a glance · 横

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

横 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 横 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 横 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 横 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 横 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 横 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从木黄声,形声字,本指门框上的横木。隶楷作「橫」,简化作「横」。

What the sketch shows

横 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「横」本指横向的木头,引申为横向、横竖。

Structure

形声字,木为意符,黄为声符。

At a glance

Pinyinhéng
Radical木
Strokes15
UnicodeU+6A2A
Character type形声
Theme状态

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English horizontal, across Horizontal, crosswise; rude.
Français horizontal, travers Horizontal, en travers; grossier.
Español horizontal, transversal Horizontal, a través; grosero.
العربية عرضي، أفقي أفقي أو عرضي أو فظ.
Русский горизонтальный, поперёк Горизонтальный, поперёк; грубый.

Common words

  • 横hénghorizontal
  • 横竖héng shùanyway