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乾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
乾qiánarid, dry; to fertilize; to penetrate; heavenly generative principle (male)HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾qiánold variant of 乾[qian2]HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾qiánmale principleHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾qián☰HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾qiánancient Chinese compass point: 315° (northwest)HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾gānarid, dry; to fertilize; to penetrate; heavenly generative principle (male)HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾gānold variant of 乾[qian2]HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾gānmale principleHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾gān☰HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
乾gānancient Chinese compass point: 315° (northwest)HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 乙, rank #15462, Hard
gān(gan1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1arid, dry; to fertilize; to penetrate; heavenly generative principle (male)
  2. 2old variant of 乾[qian2]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
乾(乹)gān(gan1)

The character 乾 (gān) primarily means 'dry' or 'arid,' often used to describe lack of moisture in contexts such as weather or soil. Additionally, it conveys the concept of the male generative principle in Chinese philosophy, representing strength and creativity. It is also associated with the direction northwest and has historical significance in Chinese cosmology.

Strokes11Radical乙Frequency#15462DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese cosmology, 乾 represents the sky and is associated with the creative force of the universe, often seen in texts like the I Ching (Yijing). Understanding this character can deepen appreciation of Chinese philosophical concepts and their influence on culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a parched land under a scorching sun, representing the dryness of 乾 (gān). The character looks like a mountain peak, symbolizing strength and stability associated with the male principle. You can remember it as a strong 'man' standing tall in a dry landscape.

Meanings of 乾

gān(gan1)
primary
1arid, dry; to fertilize; to penetrate; heavenly generative principle (male)
2male principle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 乾

乾Simplified
乹Traditional
11Strokes
乙Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 乾

JasonAmy

Podcast: 乾

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 乾

Quick Contrast

干 (gān) refers to 'to do' or 'to work,' while 乾 (gān) specifically means 'dry' or relates to the male principle in philosophy. Use 乾 when discussing dryness or philosophical concepts, and干 when referring to actions.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a parched land under a scorching sun, representing the dryness of 乾 (gān). The character looks like a mountain peak, symbolizing strength and stability associated with the male principle. You can remember it as a strong 'man' standing tall in a dry landscape.

Usage Notes

Be careful to distinguish between 乾 (gān) and 干 (gān), which has different meanings, such as 'to do' or 'to dry.' This character is more formal and philosophical, often used in literature or discussions about nature and yin-yang principles. Common collocations include 乾旱 (gānhàn, drought) and 乾杯 (gānbēi, toasting).

HSK Study Tips

Although 乾 is not included in the HSK levels, it relates to concepts in the HSK vocabulary like 干 (gān) and 干燥 (gānzào, dry). Students should focus on the nuances between these similar words to avoid confusion.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese cosmology, 乾 represents the sky and is associated with the creative force of the universe, often seen in texts like the I Ching (Yijing). Understanding this character can deepen appreciation of Chinese philosophical concepts and their influence on culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 乾 (gān) with 干 (gān) due to their similar pronunciations. For example, using 乾 in a context where 干 is appropriate, such as 'to do something,' would be incorrect; use 干 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 乾

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Etymology of 乾

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

倝 is used to represent the sound. The purpose of the 乙 component is unclear.

Memory Hint

Rays 十 emanating from the 日; 乞 provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 乾?

Decomposition of 乾

IDS Structure⿰龺乞
乾Full Character
=
龺gan1
left
乞qi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 乾?

Write 乾

乾

Practice writing 乾 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 乾

乾 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

美不是____渴的嘴唇,也不是伸出的空手.

It is not a thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth.

Example Sentences for 乾 (9)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
美不是乾渴的嘴唇,也不是伸出的空手.

měi bù shì qián kě de zuǐ chún, , yě bù shì shēn chū de kōng.

It is not a thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth.
2
河水就如同我们的兄弟,满足了我们的乾渴.

hé shuǐ jiù rú tóng wǒ mén de xiōng dì, , mǎn zú le wǒ mén de qián.

The rivers of our brothers they quench our thirst.
3
一夸脱牛奶被我的内衣裤吸乾了.

yī kuā tuō niú nǎi bèi wǒ de nèi yī kù xī qián le.

A quart of milk got sucked up inside my girdle.
4
我终于拿回我的洗衣机和烘乾机的折扣金了.

wǒ zhōng yú ná huí wǒ de xǐ yī jī hé hōng qián jī de zhē kòu jīn le.

A: I finally got my rebate for my washer and dryer.
5
洗衣机及烘乾机使用后请随手将门关上.

xǐ yī jī jí hōng qián jī shǐ yòng hòu qǐng suí shǒu jiāng mén guān shàng.

Please close the door after finish using washing machine and dryer.
6
香浓咖啡, 精选茗茶,手工巧克力及主厨烘焙饼乾.

xiāng nóng kā fēi, , jīng xuǎn míng, chá , shǒu gōng qiǎo kè lì jí zhǔ chú hōng bèi.

Fresh Coffee, Selection of Teas, Housemade Chocolate Fresh Baked Cookies.
7
使用碳纤维补强的塑胶基材的烘乾条件.

shǐ yòng tàn xiān wéi bǔ qiáng de sù jiāo jī cái de hōng qián tiáo jiàn.

Use the base resin drying requirements for carbon fiber reinforced compounds.
8
在溪边, 厨子在做钩形饼乾之前查阅了一本食谱.

zài xī biān, , chú zǐ zài zuò gōu xíng bǐng qián zhī qián chá yuè le yī běn shí.

By the crook, the cook looked through cookbook before making hooked cookies.
9
他把衣服拧乾后晾到绳子上.

tā bǎ yī fú níng qián hòu liàng dào shéng zǐ shàng.

He wrung the clothes ( out ) before putting them on the line to dry.

Cultural Notes for 乾

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese cosmology, 乾 represents the sky and is associated with the creative force of the universe, often seen in texts like the I Ching (Yijing). Understanding this character can deepen appreciation of Chinese philosophical concepts and their influence on culture.

Word Family of 乾

Words Containing This Character11
乾gān☰
乾坤yin and yang
乾隆Qianlong Emperor (1711-1799), sixth Qing emperor, princely title 寶親王|宝亲王[Bǎo​Qīn​wáng], personal name 弘曆|弘历[Hóng​lì], reigned 1735-1799
扭转乾坤to turn things around扭轉乾坤
乾陵Qianling at Xianyang 咸陽市|咸阳市 in Shaanxi, burial site of third Tang emperor 高宗 and empress Wuzetian 武則天|武则天
萧乾Xiao Qian (1910-1999), Mongolian-born, Cambridge-educated journalist active during Second World War in Europe, subsequently famous author and translator蕭乾
乾县Qian County in Xianyang 咸陽|咸阳[Xián​yáng], Shaanxi乾縣
乾安县Qian'an county in Songyuan 松原, Jilin乾安縣
乾安Qian'an county in Songyuan 松原, Jilin
朝乾夕惕cautious and diligent all day long (idiom)
旋乾转坤a radical change旋乾轉坤
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 乾 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 乾

乾 (gān) can mean dry, to fertilize, or refer to the male principle in philosophy. Context determines its specific interpretation.