← Characters

xiàng

What does mean?

Traveler reading for VibeHanzi · seen at 3 published landmarks

What it means

alley; lane

In this place

In 南锣鼓巷: alley — narrower than 街 (street), wider than a single courtyard.

Remember this

巷 tells you pedestrian scale — no cars on the main spine. Compare 胡同 on side lanes: both mean narrow ways, but 巷 is the formal name here.

Where you’ll see it

Same character, other boards

Quick answers

What does 巷 (xiàng) mean for travelers?
alley; lane
Where will I see 巷 in China?
On VibeHanzi it is taught at Nanluoguxiang, Kuanzhai Alley, Shibati. Each spot page shows the plaque context; Match locks the reading in under a minute.
How do I remember 巷 on the street?
巷 tells you pedestrian scale — no cars on the main spine. Compare 胡同 on side lanes: both mean narrow ways, but 巷 is the formal name here.