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卄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
niàntwenty, twentiethx, 3 strokes, radical 十, Very Hard
niàn(nian4) T4
  1. 1twenty, twentieth
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
niàn(nian4)

The character 卄 (niàn) represents the number twenty and is used primarily in mathematical contexts or formal settings. It signifies the concept of 'twentieth' when used in enumerating or counting items in a list. This character is less commonly encountered in daily conversation compared to its more familiar counterparts.

Strokes3RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, numbers hold significant meanings, and the number twenty is often associated with completeness in certain contexts, such as age milestones. Understanding numeral systems is essential for grasping cultural references, like in traditional celebrations.

Memory Tip

Think of 卄 as two '十' (ten) characters stacked together, representing the number twenty. Visualize two stacks of ten coins, which makes it easier to remember both the shape and the meaning.

Meanings of 卄

niàn(nian4)
1twenty, twentieth
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 卄

Simplified
3Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 卄

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 卄

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 卄 as two '十' (ten) characters stacked together, representing the number twenty. Visualize two stacks of ten coins, which makes it easier to remember both the shape and the meaning.

Usage Notes

It's important to note that 卄 is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in written forms, such as in legal documents or formal lists. Learners might confuse it with other numbers, so pay attention to the context in which it appears to avoid misinterpretation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 卄 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding it can be beneficial as it connects to the concept of numbers, which are essential for HSK vocabulary. Focus on how it relates to other Chinese numerals for a broader understanding of counting.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, numbers hold significant meanings, and the number twenty is often associated with completeness in certain contexts, such as age milestones. Understanding numeral systems is essential for grasping cultural references, like in traditional celebrations.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 卄 with other numbers or forget its correct pronunciation. For example, saying 'shì' (十) instead of 'niàn' (卄) when trying to refer to twenty is a common mistake.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 卄

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Etymology of 卄

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

Two tens 十 side by side

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 卄?

Decomposition of 卄

IDS Structure⿻十丨
Full Character
=
shi2
outer
gun3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 卄?

Write 卄

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 卄

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, numbers hold significant meanings, and the number twenty is often associated with completeness in certain contexts, such as age milestones. Understanding numeral systems is essential for grasping cultural references, like in traditional celebrations.

Word Family of 卄

Words Containing This Character1
niàntwenty, twentieth
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 卄 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 卄

No, 卄 is primarily found in formal or written contexts, not in everyday speech.