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敛 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
敛
liǎn
to collect, to extort
zg, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #33307, Very Hard
敛
liǎn
to hold back
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)lian
primary
T3
1to collect, to extort
2to hold back
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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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 敛 means.
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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How well do you know 敛?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 敛 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
敛 = 攵 + 佥. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 敛
IDS Structure⿰佥攵
敛Full character
=
佥qian1
left
攵pu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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。
yáncí jīliè de yòu yì lǐngxiù zài huì hòu shōuliǎn le tā de hǎo zhàn yánlùn。
The fiery right-wing leader toned down his militant statements after the meeting.
