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March 24, 2026
仙xiān(xian1)
The character 仙 (xiān) refers to an immortal being or entity often associated with Taoism and Chinese mythology. It denotes not only immortals or deities but also fairies and transcendent beings who possess supernatural powers and wisdom, frequently revered in cultural stories and practices.
Strokes5Radical亻Frequency#4629DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 仙 is deeply embedded in Taoist beliefs, where immortals represent the ultimate pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and harmony with nature. Celebrations and festivals often include references to these mystical beings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise old fairy (仙) floating in the clouds, surrounded by a halo of light. The character has a 'person' radical (人) on the left, suggesting it represents a being, while the right side implies something ethereal or divine, connecting to its meaning of 'immortal'.
Meanings of 仙
xiān(xian1)
1immortal
2god; fairy; immortal, transcendent
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 仙
仙Simplified
5Strokes
亻Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#4629Frequency Rank
Podcast: 仙
Podcast: 仙
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AI Study Notes for 仙
Quick Contrast
神 (shén) - use 仙 (xiān) when referring specifically to immortals or fairy-like beings in Taoist context, while 神 (shén) generally refers to gods or deities in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise old fairy (仙) floating in the clouds, surrounded by a halo of light. The character has a 'person' radical (人) on the left, suggesting it represents a being, while the right side implies something ethereal or divine, connecting to its meaning of 'immortal'.
Usage Notes
仙 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, often found in literature and mythology. Be careful not to confuse it with related terms like 神 (shén), which means 'god' and has a broader context. Common collocations include 仙人 (xiān rén - immortal person) and 仙女 (xiān nǚ - fairy).
HSK Study Tips
Although 仙 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners interested in literature and culture. Focus on its use in stories and idiomatic expressions to deepen your understanding of Chinese cultural nuances.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 仙 is deeply embedded in Taoist beliefs, where immortals represent the ultimate pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and harmony with nature. Celebrations and festivals often include references to these mystical beings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 仙 by using the wrong tone, such as saying 'xián' instead of the correct 'xiān'. Additionally, some confuse it with the character 神 (shén), which refers to gods rather than immortals.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 仙
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Grammar Patterns of 仙
仙 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
云____山今天一直在向外喷涌火山灰、气体和火山岩。
Mount Unzen has been spewing out volcanic ash, gas, and rock today.
Researchers observed one bird impale a rodent on a cactus.
9
知道现在我也不知道一朵盛开的水仙花是什么样子的.
zhī dào xiàn zài wǒ yě bù zhī dào yī duǒ shèng kāi de shuǐ xiān huā shì shí mó yàng zǐ de.
Now I still do not know what a blooming Narcissus looks like.
10
知道的最清楚的可能是秋水仙碱,它影响有丝分裂.
zhī dào de zuì qīng chǔ de kě néng shì qiū shuǐ xiān jiǎn, , tā yǐng xiǎng yǒu sī fēn.
Probably the best known of these is colchicine which interferes with mitosis.
Cultural Notes for 仙
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 仙 is deeply embedded in Taoist beliefs, where immortals represent the ultimate pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and harmony with nature. Celebrations and festivals often include references to these mystical beings.
Word Family of 仙
Compounds1
苮
Words Containing This Character20
仙xiānimmortal
仙女xiānnǚfairy
神仙shénxiānDaoist immortal
仙境fairyland
仙人掌cactus
仙子fairy
仙人Daoist immortal
水仙narcissus
天仙deity
仙界fairyland
水仙花daffodil
大仙great immortal
仙鹤xiānhèred-crowned crane (Grus japonensis)仙鶴
成仙to become immortal
八仙the Eight Immortals (Daoist mythology)
仙人球ball cactus
仙桃Xiantao sub-prefecture level city in Hubei
仙姑sorceress
仙丹elixir
仙山mountain of Immortals
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 仙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 仙
Common phrases include 仙人 (xiān rén - immortal person) and 仙境 (xiān jìng - fairyland).
The correct pronunciation is 'xiān', with a high-level tone.
It's not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in literary contexts and discussions about mythology.
