HSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 日, rank #28103, Hard
旬
xún
ten years
HSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 日, rank #28103, Hard
旬
xún
full period
HSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 日, rank #28103, Hard
旬
xún
ten-day period; period of time
HSK 7, zg, 6 strokes, radical 日, rank #28103, Hard
xún(xun2) T2
1ten days
2ten years
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March 24, 2026
旬xún(xun2)
旬 (xún) refers to a period of ten days, commonly used to denote a specific time frame in calendars or schedules. It can also imply a decade (ten years), highlighting its use in temporal contexts. This character is often encountered in discussions about time management or traditional Chinese calendars.
Strokes6Radical日Frequency#28103DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the calendar is divided into 10-day periods, known as '旬', which are significant for agricultural activities and festivals. This reflects the importance of precise timekeeping in farming societies.
Memory Tip
Imagine a calendar split into three sections of ten days each. The character 旬 looks like a person (亻) standing next to a 'ten' (十), symbolizing a full period of ten days. Picture this person organizing their time effectively within those ten-day segments.
Meanings of 旬
xún(xun2)
1ten days
2ten years
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 旬
旬Simplified
6Strokes
日Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#28103Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 旬
Podcast: 旬
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 旬
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a calendar split into three sections of ten days each. The character 旬 looks like a person (亻) standing next to a 'ten' (十), symbolizing a full period of ten days. Picture this person organizing their time effectively within those ten-day segments.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 旬 with similar time-related characters like 月 (month) or 年 (year). It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in written Chinese. Common collocations include '旬报' (ten-day report) and '旬刊' (ten-day publication).
HSK Study Tips
Although not included in HSK levels, understanding 旬 can enhance your grasp of time-related vocabulary, especially in HSK 3 or 4. Focus on its use in temporal expressions, and practice with phrases that involve days and weeks.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the calendar is divided into 10-day periods, known as '旬', which are significant for agricultural activities and festivals. This reflects the importance of precise timekeeping in farming societies.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 旬 with similar characters like 星期 (week) or 月 (month), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我在这个旬去旅行' (I will travel during this week) should be corrected to '我在这个星期去旅行' (I will travel this week).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 旬
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Originally a pictograph of an earthworm, now written as 螾, used here since the word for earthworm sounded similar to 旬. Later the meaning component (日) was added.
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Grammar Patterns of 旬
旬 carries 4 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
现在是11月中____，天气寒冷而且经常有雾。
It was now the middle of November, cold and often foggy.
That 70 - year - old man walked into the park with vigorous strides.
9
他们在3月中旬发起了准备已久的攻势.
tā mén zài3 3 yuè zhōng xún fā qǐ le zhǔn bèi yǐ jiǔ de gōng.
Their long - prepared offensive was launched in the middle of March.
10
还是十月上旬, 但初霜已经把枫叶染上了金黄.
huán shì shí yuè shàng xún, , dàn chū shuāng yǐ jīng bǎ fēng yè rǎn shàng le jīn.
It was early October, but a crispiny frost had already stamped the maple trees with gold.
Cultural Notes for 旬
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the calendar is divided into 10-day periods, known as '旬', which are significant for agricultural activities and festivals. This reflects the importance of precise timekeeping in farming societies.
Word Family of 旬
Compounds27
询xun2to ask about
殉xun4martyr; to die for a cause
绚xuan4variegated, adorned; brilliant
峋xun2foothill, mountain range
郇huan2an ancient feudal state in Shaanxi province
徇xun4to follow, to comply with; to display
侚
恂xun2careful; honest, sincere; to trust
惸
栒
洵xun2true, real; truly, really
珣
眴
荀Xun2plant, herb; surname
迿
銞
咰
姰
毥
狥
筍sun3bamboo shoots
箰
絢xuan4variegated, adorned; brilliant
詢xun2to ask about, to inquire into; to consult
賯
銁
駨
Words Containing This Character9
中旬zhōngxúnmiddle third of a month
旬xúnten days
下旬xiàxúnlast third of the month
上旬shàngxúnfirst third of a month
旬日short period
旬阳县Xunyang County in Ankang 安康[Ankāng], Shaanxi旬陽縣
旬邑县Xunyi County in Xianyang 咸陽|咸阳[Xiányáng], Shaanxi旬邑縣
旬阳Xunyang County in Ankang 安康[Ankāng], Shaanxi旬陽
旬邑Xunyi County in Xianyang 咸陽|咸阳[Xiányáng], Shaanxi
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 询 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 旬
It is pronounced as 'xún', with a rising tone.
Yes, while it's more common in written contexts, you might hear it in discussions about schedules or plans.
旬 specifically refers to a ten-day period, whereas 天 means 'day' on its own.
