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旃 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zhānfelt; a silk banner on a bent poleg, 10 strokes, radical 方, Very Hard
zhānsilken bannerunknown, 10 strokes, radical 方, Very Hard
zhān(zhan1) T1
  1. 1felt; a silk banner on a bent pole
  2. 2silken banner
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
zhān(zhan1)

The character 旃 (zhān) primarily refers to a type of felt or a silk banner, often used in ceremonial contexts. It can denote a fabric that is typically thicker and used for banners or covering, emphasizing its significance in traditional Chinese culture and religious practices.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, banners made of silk, represented by 旃, played a crucial role in military and religious ceremonies, symbolizing authority and attracting divine favor.

Memory Tip

Imagine a colorful silk banner fluttering in the wind, held aloft by a bent pole. The character 旃 looks like a banner waving in the air, with the top part resembling the flag fluttering and the bottom part reminiscent of a pole.

Meanings of 旃

zhān(zhan1)
1felt; a silk banner on a bent pole
2silken banner
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 旃

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 旃

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 旃

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a colorful silk banner fluttering in the wind, held aloft by a bent pole. The character 旃 looks like a banner waving in the air, with the top part resembling the flag fluttering and the bottom part reminiscent of a pole.

Usage Notes

While 旃 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it appears in literary and historical contexts related to banners and fabrics. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; pay attention to the tone to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 旃 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners interested in literature or traditional culture. Focus on recognizing its written form and understanding its cultural significance to enhance your vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In ancient China, banners made of silk, represented by 旃, played a crucial role in military and religious ceremonies, symbolizing authority and attracting divine favor.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 旃 with similar characters like 斩 (zhǎn), which means 'to cut'. Remember that 旃 relates to fabrics and banners, while 斩 pertains to actions. A common error is to use 旃 in contexts related to cutting, which is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 旃

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Etymology of 旃

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

flag

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 旃?

Decomposition of 旃

IDS Structure⿰方⿱?丹
Full Character
=
Fang1
left
dan1
top
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 旃?

Write 旃

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 旃

🏮Cultural insight

In ancient China, banners made of silk, represented by 旃, played a crucial role in military and religious ceremonies, symbolizing authority and attracting divine favor.

Word Family of 旃

Words Containing This Character1
zhānfelt
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 旃 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 旃

In modern usage, 旃 is not commonly spoken but is recognized in historical or literary contexts, referring to silk banners or felt.