unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liǎn
to restrain
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liǎn
to control (oneself)
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liǎn
Taiwan pr. [lian4]
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liàn
to collect, to extort
zg, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liàn
to hold back
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liàn
to restrain
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liàn
to control (oneself)
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liàn
Taiwan pr. [lian4]
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
liǎn(lian3)
primary
T3
1to collect, to extort
2to hold back
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
敛(斂)liǎn(lian3)
The character 敛 (liǎn) primarily means to collect or gather, often in a context of restraint or control. It can also imply holding back emotions or actions, and is used in formal contexts related to self-discipline or management of resources.
Strokes11Radical攵Frequency#33307DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, self-control and restraint are highly valued, especially in Confucian teachings. The concept of 敛 reflects the importance of managing one's emotions and desires in both personal and social contexts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person gathering all their emotions tightly in their hands, like a net that collects everything. The character 敛 has a radical that resembles a net (网), which helps you remember its meaning of collecting and restraining.
Meanings of 敛
liǎn(lian3)
primary
1to collect, to extort
2to hold back
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 敛
敛Simplified
斂Traditional
11Strokes
攵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 敛
Podcast: 敛
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 敛
Quick Contrast
收 (shōu) — use 敛 for a more formal or restrained gathering, while 收 is more general and can imply simply collecting without the nuance of restraint.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Be careful with its tones, as the pronunciation can change its meaning; ensure to use the correct tone (liǎn) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 敛 is not included in the official HSK levels, it relates to HSK Level 4 vocabulary surrounding self-control and management. Students should focus on its usage in formal writing and contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 敛 with similar-sounding characters like 连 (lián) and 忍 (rěn). For example, saying '我需要连我的情绪' instead of '我需要敛我的情绪' is incorrect; the correct phrase emphasizes restraint.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 敛
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Phonosemantic compound. 攵 represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 斂.
1The meaning half攵 carries the sense.
2The sound half佥 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaystrike
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 敛? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 敛?
Decomposition of 敛
IDS Structure⿰佥攵
敛Full Character
=
佥qian1
left
攵pu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 敛?
How to say to collect, to extort in Chinese
“to collect, to extort” in Chinese is敛liǎn
The character 敛 (liǎn) primarily means to collect or gather, often in a context of restraint or control. It can also imply holding back emotions or actions, and is used in formal contexts related to self-discipline or management of resources.
When to use 敛
This character is often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Be careful with its tones, as the pronunciation can change its meaning; ensure to use the correct tone (liǎn) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
敛 or something close to it
收 (shōu) — use 敛 for a more formal or restrained gathering, while 收 is more general and can imply simply collecting without the nuance of restraint.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 敛 with similar-sounding characters like 连 (lián) and 忍 (rěn). For example, saying '我需要连我的情绪' instead of '我需要敛我的情绪' is incorrect; the correct phrase emphasizes restraint.
Write 敛
敛
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Practice writing 敛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 敛
敛 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
言辞激烈的右翼领袖在会后收____了他的好战言论。
The fiery right-wing leader toned down his militant statements after the meeting.
Example Sentences for 敛 (4)
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1
言辞激烈的右翼领袖在会后收敛了他的好战言论。
yán cí jī liè de yòu yì lǐng xiù zài huì hòu shōu liǎn le tā de hǎo zhàn yán lùn。
The fiery right-wing leader toned down his militant statements after the meeting.
2
我虽然性格极为内敛，但喜欢和人接触。
wǒ suī rán xìng gé jí wéi nèi liǎn， ， dàn xǐ huān hé rén jiē。
Even though I'm quite a reserved person, I like meeting people.
3
该书所描绘的世界似乎过分刻意地追求文学性，过于内敛含蓄。
gāi shū suǒ miáo huì de shì jiè sì hū guò fēn kè yì dì zhuī qiú wén xué xìng， ， guò yú nèi liǎn hán。
The world which the book inhabits seems too self-consciously literary, too introverted.
