How to Write 颂 (sòng) — Meaning “To praise / Ode”

Imagine a public (公) ceremony where everyone turns their heads (页) to praise a hero — that action is 颂. Alternatively, think of the phrase "song of praise" — 颂 sounds like "song" and means a song or ode of praise.

Pay attention to the left side 公: the top 八 should be spread open, not closed like 人. The right side 页 must have the last two strokes as a short horizontal and a dot, not a long line. Keep the character balanced — the left side is slightly narrower than the right.

顶 (dǐng) means "top" or "crown" and uses 丁 (nail) with 页, while 顷 (qǐng) means "a short while" or "100 mu" and has 匕 (spoon) with 页. 颂 is the only one meaning "to praise" and uses 公 (public) instead of 丁 or 匕.

颂 appears in formal or literary contexts like 歌颂 (gē sòng, to extol) and 颂扬 (sòng yáng, to sing praises) often used for praising heroes, achievements, or the Party. It is also in 颂词 (sòng cí, eulogy) for ceremonial speeches. Though not in HSK, it is common in official and celebratory writing.

Common words containing 颂 include: 歌颂 (gē sòng) — To extol or sing the praises of; 颂扬 (sòng yáng) — To sing the praises of; 颂词 (sòng cí) — Eulogy / Commendatory speech.